The lecture “Heroic Krishna in the Epic Mahabharata” was held in Hall A of Harvard University Science Center  on Sunday, January 8.  The lecture was the twelfth in the series “Indian Society through the Ages,” organized by the Outreach Lecture Program at Harvard University. The series started in 2009 and has examined the evolution of Indian Society through historical times by piecing together evidence from archeology, epigraphy, literature, and scriptural recitations.   It’s now entering into the epics, religions and philosophy.

This talk focused on Krishna’s role in the great epic Mahabharata. Dr. Kevin McGrath, a long-time student of the epic, gave an entertaining and illuminating talk on Krishna as a Hero rather than a Deity. The talk referenced many passages from the accepted critically compiled Mahabharata of V. S. Sukthankar, released by Bhandarkar Oriental Institute in Pune, India, in 1966.

Mahabharata is a heroic literature, not unlike the Iliad. It is not Brahmin literature.  Though there are discussions about Dharma, it focuses more on the heroic tales where a-dharma prevails. Dr. McGrath suggests that the epic can be called as Kshatriya poetry. It has many heroes and kings. It describes and praises the warrior culture – the rituals, the weaponry, the kinship among the warriors, the economy. The period of Mahabharata was probably the Bronze Age. Also it was probably composed during the preliterate days. Some experts suggest that the society was pre-urban.

Dr. McGrath then expounded on some individuals from the Mahabharata. The best of the Kauravas was Karna – a Sanskrit hero, with undying loyalty towards his king and of extreme generosity. At the end of the Stri Parvan, where the epic components of the poem close,  there is the very moving lament of Dharmaraja at Karna’s death.  Two queens in the Mahabharata  - Kunti and Draupadi - play major roles. They guard the Kshatriya Dharma by reminding the men about it. In a matrilineal society these two women play very important roles. As a matter of fact it was the wrath of Draupadi who was very much insulted by the Kauravas that encouraged the Pandavas to make war.

With regard to the composition of the epic, Dr. McGrath observed that there were at least four composers – Vaishampayana, Janamejaya, Sanjaya and Vyasa. Only Sanjaya was supposed to have divine vision so that he could observe events from anywhere and even what is thought of in the mind of others. Sanjaya, especially, is famous for describing the war to Dhritarashtra, the blind father of the Kauravas. Though Vyasa is traditionally attributed with the authorship of the epic, he is actually absent - as a composer - from the epic. He never speaks with King Janamejaya. These poets are referred to as ‘preliterate’ , in terms of the Parry-Lord-Nagy scholarly tradition of oral literature.

Krishna was a Kshatriya and an extraordinary charioteer.  He managed the great warrior Arjuna during the war. Though  a charioteer, he energized the warrior. He was also a great friend to Arjuna. The two friends were very close and had many adventures and pleasures together. Some conjecture that these two characters were drawn from Vedic heroes – Mitra and Varuna  - by the similarity of the weapons they used. Mitra’ s weapon was the disc and so was Krishna’s, while Varuna and Arjuna had their bow and arrows.

Krishna invigorates the hero Arjuna at war. When Arjuna is despondent, he raises his spirits and encourages him to fight. He praises him and denigrates the enemy. He asks him to think like a Kshatriya warrior. The Gita has many Kshatriya metaphors.  Krishna was a dual sovereign with Yudhishtira for most of the time. He provided valuable advice to the Pandavas, before and during the war.  After the war when Yudhishtira becomes the king, Krishna quietly withdraws and goes home to Dwaraka.

Dr. McGrath concluded by saying that there are many strands and themes in Mahabharata. There are many stories and narratives surrounding Krishna presenting us with a complex picture. He was a hero, a wise counsellor, a great friend, a fine poet. These stories with their many interpretations are the basis for the composition and culture of India.

The outreach lectures would go for a period of rest while the facility issues at the university are sorted out.   The Outreach Committee plans to resume the lectures in a month or two.  Public announcement and email notices will be sent.  Please send mail to C Gopinath at cgopinath2000@yahoo.com if you wish to be in the mailing list.  Any questions on the lectures can be sent to Bijoy Misra at bmisra@fas.harvard.edu .

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