Is It Good To Keep Mahabharata Book At Home?

Table of Content

•  Introduction

• What The Mahabharata Teaches Us?

• Teachings on Bhakti or Devotion

• Teachings on Life

• Answering the Greater Questions of Life

• Conclusion

Yes. Not only is it good to keep the Mahabharata at home, but it is advised to keep the book at home due to the sacredness and auspiciousness it brings. Veda Vyasa, the great sage who wrote the master text himself underlines that he has “collected the soul of the Vedas, Puranas, ancient laws, ideas on education, details of tirthas, etc” in this work. Even the Upanishadic sages treat Itihasa Purana (Ramayana and Mahabharata) as the “Pancham Veda” (Fifth Veda). Thus, in a way, the Mahabharata is an amalgamation of the supreme ancient knowledge which is the foundation of Indian culture. Let us have a closer look at this mighty text and its contents to understand why one should bring a Mahabharata book home.

The story of Mahabharata, an ancient compendium of legends of Kauravas, Pandavas, and Sri Krishna, and the great battle of Kurukshetra lives in the memory of Indian people as an epic, timeless saga. It is said to be compiled in written form somewhere between 400 BC to 400 CE, in the ancient period, but was a part of Indian culture from earlier times when bards or Sutas narrated the portions of the divine tale to the audience. These stories contained episodes from the lives of Mahabharata’s characters along with practical, moral, and spiritual teachings which helped the listeners understand their own lives better.

Over some time, the prevalent custom of narrating the Mahabharata to a large community was paralleled by written and translated versions of the text coming into circulation. With a reduced interaction of the common populace with the eternal wisdom of the Mahabharata, the numerous themes of the text were forgotten and the feature of the text that most people remembered was that it described the biggest battle Indian culture has ever seen. This misinterpreted connection with the violence, bloodshed, and wars led people into believing that it was “inauspicious” to keep Mahabharata at home. This is a grave misconception that can be corrected only when a devout seeker of knowledge interacts with the sacred text.

What The Mahabharata Teaches Us?

Teachings on Bhakti or Devotion

Srimad Bhagavad Gita, the iconic teachings of Sri Krishna to Arjuna is a part of the Mahabharata. The Gita is the solidification of the ideals of “Bhakti” or devotion to the divine and it is the direction shown in it, that even the modern Hindu bhakta or devotee follows. The powerful Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra and Suryashttotar Shatanam Stotra are passed down to the devotees of Sri Vishnu and Surya through the Mahabharata. Numerous such pious hymns and potent mantras used every day by practicing Hindus have reached us thanks to the Mahabharata. How can a text which is made up of the most sacred shloka, stotra, and mantras be anything but auspicious?

Teachings on Life

The episodes of the Mahabharata depict a zenith of Indian writing, with a shrewd dealing of life and philosophy from the Indian point of view. The personality of every character is given a humane complexity, devoid of the dichotomy of right and wrong, which lets the audience connect with them. As the characters face different situations and challenges, their “Dharma” or duty assigned to them is tested. What should I do: Dharma in the Mahabharata? How they react, what path they choose and the outcomes faced by them help the audience select the right path when they are challenged in life. In all its spiritual glory, the Mahabharata is a practical guide to the perfect human life.

महाभारत कथा- ऐतिहासिक और सांस्कृतिक विवेचन - Mahabharat Katha- Historical and Cultural Interpretation (Set of Two Volumes)

Answering the Greater Questions of Life

Karma Yoga (achieving the higher consciousness through action or Karma), Bhakti, Adhyatma (spirituality), Rajneeti (politics), and innumerable such philosophical conundrums find befitting answers in the pages of the Mahabharata. A spellbinding message is conveyed by Sri Krishna to Arjuna when he tells him- “nimmit maatram bhava savyasachi”- O Arjuna, see yourself only (maatram) as an instrument (nimmit). Surrendering yourself to the cosmic divine force as its vessel, not shying away from acting on your duties, and not running behind the fruit of your action are some of the basic principles taught by the Mahabharata, which are reiterated by learned individuals, spiritual teachers and Hindus discussing daily life, every day.

Even without the presence of a physical copy of the Mahabharata at your home, its parts, contents, and ideas already live inside your house and your mind. Mahabharata (and Ramayana) are two divine strands- the warp and weft, Taana-Baana which weaved together to make the religious and cultural fabric of India.

Thus keeping a Mahabharata at home will only bring you closer to the essence of being Indian, to the primordial wisdom of Hinduism. Find the Mahabharata in Sanskrit or your language at Exotic India Art and place the great text in your home to embrace its heavenly powers.

Key Takeaways

• The Mahabharata is an epic Indian text that is considered to be one of the most important works of Hindu literature. It tells the story of a great war between two families, and contains important teachings and insights into Indian philosophy and spirituality.

• Keeping a copy of the Mahabharata at home is considered to be a good practice by many Hindus, as it is believed to bring positive energy and blessings into the household.

• Reading the Mahabharata can help individuals to gain a deeper understanding of Hindu philosophy and spirituality, and can provide guidance and inspiration for daily life.

• The Mahabharata contains many important lessons and teachings, such as the importance of dharma (righteousness), the consequences of actions, and the power of devotion.

• In addition to its spiritual significance, the Mahabharata is also a valuable cultural and historical resource, providing insights into ancient Indian society, culture, and traditions.

• While it is generally considered to be a positive thing to keep a copy of the Mahabharata at home, it is important to treat the text with respect and reverence, and to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow.