Q.- What were the different reasons for the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas ?
Ans: The Mahabharata, one of India’s greatest epics, centers around the conflict between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, two branches of the Kuru dynasty. The war of Kurukshetra was not caused by a single reason but by a combination of jealousy, greed, pride, and fate. Several political, moral, and personal issues led to this devastating war.
1. Dispute over inheritance and kingdom: The main cause of the war was the succession dispute over the throne of Hastinapura. After the death of King Pandu, his sons (the Pandavas) were rightful heirs, but Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, refused to share power. Though the Pandavas proved their worth by conquering kingdoms and performing the Rajasuya Yagna, Duryodhana’s envy grew. This led to constant conflict over who would rule Hastinapura.
2. The game of dice and humiliation of Draupadi: One of the most direct causes of the war was the unfair dice game. Shakuni, Duryodhana’s uncle, tricked Yudhishthira into gambling away his kingdom, brothers, and wife, Draupadi. Draupadi’s public humiliation in the Kaurava court deeply wounded the Pandavas’ honor. This incident created a deep sense of revenge and hatred, making peace impossible.
3. Duryodhana’s jealousy and arrogance: Duryodhana’s jealousy was a constant source of conflict. He could not tolerate the success, popularity, and righteousness of the Pandavas. His arrogance and hatred blinded him to justice and morality. Even after repeated advice from elders like Bhishma, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana refused to make peace.
4. Failure of diplomacy and Krishna’s peace mission: Before the war, Lord Krishna tried his best to prevent bloodshed. He went to Hastinapura as a peace messenger, asking Duryodhana to give the Pandavas even five small villages. But Duryodhana arrogantly refused, declaring that he would not give them “even land equal to the tip of a needle.” This final refusal destroyed all chances of peace.
5. Destiny and moral decline: The war was also seen as inevitable destiny. The moral and social decline of the Kuru dynasty had reached its peak. The elders, despite their wisdom, failed to act justly. The war became a way to restore dharma (righteousness) and destroy evil forces.
In conclusion, the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas was not just a family feud; it was a struggle between dharma and adharma, justice and injustice. It reminds readers that greed, pride, and moral blindness ultimately lead to destruction.
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