03-09-2005, 03:23 AM
Continued.....
Karthik.K
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I don't wish to turn this into an argument about our interpretation of the Mahabharata. But I belive the entire message of the epic is being distorted here to justify arguments by Gudakesa. The essence of the Mahabharata, to the best of my understanding, was that the war had to be fought to uphold dharma, whatever the personal losses involved for the participants. The war itself was not about getting back the kingdom or earthly possessions. Towards this end, the Lord orders the Pandavas to commit foul play. There is absolutely no scope for any ambiguity on justification for the war. Indeed the war was decided long ago when Draupadi cries out her heart to Krishna, who promises her Quote:
Those who tormented you will be stricken to death in the bloody quagmire of a lost battle. Wipe your eyes. I solemnly promise that youâre grievous wrongs shall be amply avenged.
Neither can there be any comparison between the two sides, inspite of flouting the norms of war by both parties. Read Krishna's defence of Bhima to Balarama for having hit Duryodhana below the navel.
Sunil wrote:
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->My key point what that (as in the Mahabharat) the "moral foundation" of War is articifial and that unless the "War" is chosen carefully, the "moral foundation" will not sustain creating all sorts of issues. To that end I gave the example of the US in the Cold War.
....
However the "moral foundation" of this war was weak. The US failed to sustain its alliance with the Islamists after the Cold War and what we are seeing in the form of troubles in the Oil producing countries and America war with the Islamists of Pakistan etc... are all manifestations of the weaknesses in the "moral foundation" of the Cold War. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What exactly do you mean by moral foundation and how exactly do you reckon that the moral foundation of the Cold War was weak ? I just don't get it. Neither do I get the parallel you are trying to draw between the Mahabharata and the Cold War. Please clarify<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Karthik.K
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I don't wish to turn this into an argument about our interpretation of the Mahabharata. But I belive the entire message of the epic is being distorted here to justify arguments by Gudakesa. The essence of the Mahabharata, to the best of my understanding, was that the war had to be fought to uphold dharma, whatever the personal losses involved for the participants. The war itself was not about getting back the kingdom or earthly possessions. Towards this end, the Lord orders the Pandavas to commit foul play. There is absolutely no scope for any ambiguity on justification for the war. Indeed the war was decided long ago when Draupadi cries out her heart to Krishna, who promises her Quote:
Those who tormented you will be stricken to death in the bloody quagmire of a lost battle. Wipe your eyes. I solemnly promise that youâre grievous wrongs shall be amply avenged.
Neither can there be any comparison between the two sides, inspite of flouting the norms of war by both parties. Read Krishna's defence of Bhima to Balarama for having hit Duryodhana below the navel.
Sunil wrote:
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->My key point what that (as in the Mahabharat) the "moral foundation" of War is articifial and that unless the "War" is chosen carefully, the "moral foundation" will not sustain creating all sorts of issues. To that end I gave the example of the US in the Cold War.
....
However the "moral foundation" of this war was weak. The US failed to sustain its alliance with the Islamists after the Cold War and what we are seeing in the form of troubles in the Oil producing countries and America war with the Islamists of Pakistan etc... are all manifestations of the weaknesses in the "moral foundation" of the Cold War. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What exactly do you mean by moral foundation and how exactly do you reckon that the moral foundation of the Cold War was weak ? I just don't get it. Neither do I get the parallel you are trying to draw between the Mahabharata and the Cold War. Please clarify<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->