Jernail Singh Anand's Mahabharat: The Battle of Words - A Modern Epic: Rewriting of Traditional Wisdom

Abstract

Jernail Singh Anand's Mahabharat: The Conflict of Words - A Modern Epic is a modern epic that rewards the conventional understanding of the conflict and its aftermath. It is the follow-up to the ancient Indian epic, Mahabharata. The author retells the epic from the perspective of Draupadi, the heroine who was treated dishonorably at the Kuru king's court, to bring the Pandavas—the primary protagonists of the War—and their spiritual master, Lord Krishna, to the forefront. The book casts doubt on the legitimacy and relevance of the Bhagavad Gita. This sacred text forms the basis of the Mahabharata, given today's violent, conflict-ridden, and unequal world.

Additionally, the novel draws parallels with other epics that focus on the ideas of honor, devotion, and love, including the Ramayana and Troy. The central theme of Anand's writing is dishonor, particularly in light of Draupadi's humiliation at the hands of King Dhritrashtra. The action of this sequel moves beyond Kurukshetra's real battlefield and into the reader's imagination. In a biased conversation with Lord Krishna, the author expresses worries about the state of modern society and makes an effort to justify its purported deviations from the predestined path of justice.