War and Death in the Mahabharata

Abstract

The article delves into the complex depictions of war, death, and the afterlife in the final books of the Mahabharata. It examines the confluence of earlier Vedic "Valhalla" theories of heaven for warriors and later Upanishadic ideas of karma and rebirth. The article highlights the text's seemingly contradictory portrayals of the afterlife, where heroes experience both heavenly rewards and the consequences of their karma, ultimately reaching a state beyond description. Doniger analyzes the mourning of survivors, particularly women, and the moral ambiguities surrounding death in battle, including ignominious deaths and violations of dharma. Furthermore, the article explores the theodicy presented for the devastating war, including divine intervention, curses, and fate. A key focus is the concept of manyu – vengeful pride, warrior arrogance – as a central cause of conflict and something the heroes must relinquish to find peace in heaven, suggesting a profound critique of the epic's own martial values and offering insights into truth and reconciliation.