Psychological Interpretation of Mahabharata Story Arcs is a dream project. Inspired by my brother Manish Verma,I started to watch the Mahabharata which was telecast on the Star Plus channel and it is now available on Hotstar.
Mahabharata is not only an epic but also a sacred guidance for Mankind on life, behavior, psychology, everything. We can find answers to every situational question in Mahabharata.
Mahabharata is not simply an epic rather it is an encyclopaedia of human behaviours which tell.us where and when – how to behave. It can be explained as a psychological thriller. Thus Psychological Interpretation of Mahabharata Story Arcs is an exploration of psychological pattern in Mahabharata.
Psychological Interpretation of Mahabharata Story Arcs- Affair of Shantanu and Satyavati
The first episode started to show the love affairs between the king Shantanu and Satyavati. Shantanu was the king of Hastinapur and Satyabati was a daughter of a leader of a group who were fishermen by profession. While enjoying their travel on a river, Satyabati caught a fish in spite of King Shantanu’s disapproval.
Thus, a stage is created for the future that the fate of Hastinapur will be determined by a beautiful woman Satyavati. The king Shantanu is blinded by love of Satyavati. The king Shantanu also lost his determination under the influence of strong love and physical beauty of Satyavati.
We learn to choose a partner not by her physical beauty but also considering her education, intelligence and her approach to life.
Though Satyavati was a daughter of a fisherman, it is obvious for her to catch fish for livelihood. But she killed a fish while enjoying a beautiful time with her finance. So her approach to life is not appropriate to be a queen of a great kingdom like Hastinapur.
Psychological Interpretation of Mahabharata Story Arcs – Introduction of Debabrata
Now, Debabrata is introduced in a dramatic scene. Debabrata is a son of Ganga and king Shantanu. But Shantanu had forgotten about this son. Ganga introduced Debabrata to his father Shantanu after a little battle between Debabrata and the Rakshasha who are the dwellers of forest.
Debabrata didn’t kill any Rakshasha but asked them the reason for their entrance to the land of Hastinapur. They said that the city dwellers are entering their land and they were facing many problems due to their intervention in their life.
Debabrata promised them not to interfere in their life any more. So the Rakshasha went back to their land.
While their returning King Shantanu attacked them but once again Debabrata protected them.
We learn about Debabrata’s determination. intelligence and his wiseness. We get a clear idea that Debabrata is the ultimate person and future king of Hastinapur. The king Shantanu became very happy to get back his son and this time he took a wise decision to make Debabrata king of Hastinapur.
Thus the king Shantanu had got back his son Debabrata and he resolved to make him king of Hastinapur. On the other hand, king Shantanu was in love with Satyavati.
Shantanu is very happy to get back his son and decides to make his son the king of Hastinapur. When Shantanu comes back to his fiancee Satyavati and tells her about his decision, Satyavati becomes unhappy. Shantanu wants to marry Satyavati and spends his rest of the life in bliss. But Satyavati is not satisfied with the simple life of a fisher- woman. She not only wants to be a queen but also wants her son to be the
king of Hastinapur. At this point Shantanu becomes very unhappy with Satyavati and decides to leave Satyavati instead of his young son Debabrata.
Here we learn to sacrifice self-interest for a greater cause of the country from king Shantanu’s behaviour.
On the other hand, Satyavati’s behaviour towards king Shantanu could not be criticised because of her approach to secure her future.
Neglecting Satyavati’s love and physical beauty, Shantanu introduces Debabrata as the king of Hastinapur.
It is the right decision for Hastinapur as a king, But king Shantanu becomes very unhappy without Satyavati’s love.
Can we say that the love affair between Shantanu and Satyavati is a toxic relation?
Yes it may be toxic, but wait, it is the seed of the whole story of Mahabharata.
Next, we shall see the result of this toxic relationship.
Acknowledgement – I am grateful to Manish Verma, Hotstar, and Mahabharata books for my article.
I read your article completely. I really liked your way of writing and the way you present the story. I am very happy. And I hope you will keep writing like this in future as well. Keep moving ahead like this and keep writing, best of luck Chandan ji
Thank you very much. Your appreciation is a lot of meaning to me. Thank you.