The Challenges of Accepting a Scholarly Critical Edition of the Mahabharata

When it comes to reading the Mahabharata, there are two distinct categories of readers: those whose appreciation is based on belief and those who engage with the epic from a scholarly perspective. The latter often face a significant challenge when a scholarly Critical Edition (CE) of the Mahabharata, known as BORI CE, is introduced, as it sometimes excludes elements that are beloved in popular folk versions.

Two Categories of Mahabharata Readers

The Mahabharata, one of the longest epics in the world, has been the subject of countless adaptations, retellings, and scholarly examinations. Most readers, however, do not read the entire epic in its original form. Rather, they tend to focus on the dramatic portions and key war sequences, often skimming through the more philosophical and ‘dharma’-related passages.

Many people approach the Mahabharata with preconceived notions shaped by childhood stories, comics, fictionalized accounts, and popular cultural depictions. These accounts often amplify the dramatic and sometimes questionable aspects of the epic to attract audiences and boost sales, creating a deeply ingrained view of certain characters and events.

Popular Notions and Beliefs

The epics of the Mahabharata are rich in characters with a wide range of human traits, each appealing to different individuals. Some popular notions and beliefs include:

Karna’s chariot was said to be twice as heavy as Arjuna’s due to the presence of Hanuman. Draupadi would hide her love for Karna during the Swyamvara until she could no longer resist. Karna was said to have failed to string the bow during the Swyamvara, leading to him not being allowed to participate.

A Scholarly Endeavor: The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) CE

In an effort to reconstruct the most authentic version of the Mahabharata, Vishnu Sitaram Sukhtankar, a Maharashtrian scholar who had studied Mathematics at Cambridge and completed his doctorate in Sanskrit grammar, undertook the project of creating a Critical Edition (CE) in 1925. Sukhtankar had a team of Sanskrit scholars who worked on the project, and after years of diligent work, the Adi Parva was published in 1933.

The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) later completed the project in 1966, using the Northern and Southern recensions of the Mahabharata. This critical edition meticulously analyzes and compiles the most reliable versions of the epic, often expunging interpolations and rectifying discrepancies found in various versions.

Disturbance to Deeply Held Beliefs

The BORI CE has had the unintended consequence of challenging the deeply held beliefs of many Mahabharata fans. For example, the famous episode where Draupadi rejects Karna at the Swyamvara is not present in the CE, nor is Karna's failure to protect Duryodhana during the Ghosa Yatra. These omissions, while historically accurate, are often cherished by fans of the epic and can be difficult to accept.

Two Approaches to the Mahabharata

One can approach the Mahabharata from a position of belief, simply appreciating the epic as a cherished cultural text. There is no problem with this approach, as long as one acknowledges that it is a personal belief and not a scholarly requirement. Another approach is from a purely academic standpoint, seeking to understand the society, motivations of characters, and the historical context in which the epic was written.

From a scholarly perspective, one must be willing to jettison deeply held beliefs and engage with the text in a rigorous and objective manner. This requires not only a considerable range of scholarly publications but also an understanding of Sanskrit, the language in which the epic was originally written.

Ultimately, both approaches are valid and valuable. However, mixing these approaches can lead to contradictions and confusion. One cannot pretend to embark on a scholarly examination while holding onto deeply held beliefs that contradict the evidence presented in the Critical Edition.

The Mahabharata continues to captivate readers around the world with its vast tapestry of characters and narratives. Understanding and accepting the BORI CE as a scholarly endeavor is crucial for those interested in a more accurate and academic understanding of this ancient epic.