Due to both its focus on war and the long time period it covers, the Mahabharata is full of death, and it also deals with the grief survivors feel in the wake of death. Perhaps no character in the story has more cause for grief than Dhritarashtra, who loses 100 sons as well as many other trusted relatives, warriors, and advisors. At the end of each day of battle, the blind king Dhritarashtra laments to hear from Samjaya how many brave fighters died in battle that day. Many characters, however—particularly Samjaya and also Dhritarashtra’s wise advisor Vidura—tell Dhritarashtra not to grieve because he is simply experiencing the logical consequences of his own actions (after he allowed Duryodhana to gamble against Yudhishthira, starting the feud between the Kauravas and the Pandavas). Even Dhritarashtra’s own wife Gandhari advises him not to mourn too much, because the many Kaurava deaths that occurred during the war all happened according to fate. As Vyasa explains at one point, grief is often just a waste of time because death is simply part of a cycle of rebirth.
And yet, while the wisest figures in the poem often advise against grief, other events in the poem complicate this idea. For example, in his pursuit of dharma, Yudhishthira follows Bhishma’s advice and holds elaborate śraddha ceremonies after the Kurukshetra War to honor those who fell in battle, including even enemies who fought on the opposing side. Others in the poem go even further in their expressions of grief. Take, for instance, the wives of the dead Kaurava warriors, who throw themselves into the Ganga River to be reunited with their husbands. Similarly, Krishna’s four wives throw themselves onto his funeral pyre after his death. Ultimately, everything comes back to the idea of dharma, and how what is full of dharma for one individual may not apply for another. The Mahabharata contains several arguments and strategies for attempting to overcome grief, arguing that death is a natural part of existence, but it nevertheless also emphasizes the importance of honor and respect for the dead by the living.
Related Themes from Other Texts
Grief, Loss, and Mourning ThemeTracker
Grief, Loss, and Mourning Quotes in Mahabharata
Ugraśravas the Suta, teller of ancient tales, son of Lomaharshana the Suta, once approached the Brahmin seers assembled in the Naimisha forest to attend the twelve-year sacrifice of Śaunaka their chief, bowing politely to those keepers of keen vows.
The hero who had laid waste the entire Kuru army, like an elephant in a lotus pond, now lay resplendent in death, like a wild elephant slain by hunters.
And he performed this last find and astonishing foe-slaying feat: at the time he was pierced in the heart by the Spear, he appeared, O king, huge as a cloud, or a mountain; then that Rakshasa prince fell headlong to earth from on high, body torn, limbs stilled, lifeless and speechless, but gigantic in form. Bhima’s son Ghatotkaca, doer of fearful deeds, fell with the terrifying, fearful form he had assumed; and thus even in death he smashed on whole section of your army, bringing terror to the Kauravas.
The glorious standard of Karna the mighty chariot-fighter was now destroyed by the noble wearer of the diadem with a razor-edged, gold-shafted arrow that he shot with the greatest of care; and with the fall of that standard there fell too the Kurus’ fame and dharma, and their hopes of victory, sir, and all that they held dear, and their very hearts.
Seeing these most wonderful happenings, and the honour paid to Duryodhana, the Pandavas felt ashamed; they grieved mightily to hear it said that Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Buriśravas had been killed unfairly. But Krishna, seeing them anxious and downcast, proclaimed in a voice sounding like thunder or drums, ‘Duryodhana here with his swift weapons, and those other valiant chariot-fighters, could not have been slain by you on the battlefield in a fair fight. That is why I devised these stratagems, lords of men—otherwise the victory of the Pandavas could never have happened.’
Drona’s son Aśvatthaman watched that owl carry out its guileful attack at night. The bird’s behaviour filled him with new resolve, and he said to himself, ‘This bird has given me good advice in warfare!’
‘Do not grieve, Dhritarashtra. You have not slain Bhima. This was an iron effigy, king that you laid low.’
Thus Yudhishthira lord of dharma lamented again and again; then, weeping softly, O king, the lord of men made an offering of water to his brother.
‘Perform the horse sacrifice in due form, with gifts to all the Brahmins; for the horse sacrifice purifies one of all sins, lord of kings, and after sacrificing with that rite you will be sinless, make no doubt.’
So, like a cloud sating the earth with rain, King Dhritarashtra sated those priests with the torrents of wealth he showered upon them; and when all was done, that lord of the earth then deluged his guests of every class with downpours of food and drink.
Thinking that he had committed a dreadful crime, he touched his head to Krishna’s feet in distress; but noble Krishna reassured him, even as he soared aloft, filling all heaven and earth with his glory.
This Bharata that emerged from the lips of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa is without measure;
holy purifying and auspicious, it drives away sin.
If a man studies it as he hears it recited,
what need has he to bathe in the waters of holy Lake Pushkara?
