Introduction
The Mahabharata has
traditionally been read as a religious epic, a storehouse of mythology, and a
source of spiritual guidance. However, Iravati Karve’s Yuganta: The End of
an Epoch approaches it from a very different angle. Written originally in
Marathi and later translated into English, the book examines the characters of
the Mahabharata not as gods or demons but as historical, human
figures shaped by social and political forces. Karve’s method combines
sociology, psychology, and literary criticism, which is why the book is
considered a critical analysis of the Mahabharata rather than a
devotional commentary.
Humanizing the Characters
A central feature of Karve’s
critical approach is her demythologization of the epic’s characters. She
strips them of divine halos and interprets them as human beings with strengths
and weaknesses.
- Bhishma is seen not as a flawless patriarch but as a tragic
figure whose rigid vows make him ineffective in preventing injustice.
- Karna is presented as a noble but bitter man, destroyed
by the stigma of illegitimacy.
- Krishna is treated not as a god but as a shrewd political
strategist.
By focusing on their humanity, Karve transforms myth into realistic character studies, an essential feature of critical analysis.
Sociological and Psychological Insight
Karve applies the tools of
sociology and psychology to interpret the epic. She looks at the family
structure, gender relations, political power, and social customs of the
time. For example:
- In Kunti’s life,
she sees the struggle of a woman balancing motherhood with political
necessity.
- In Draupadi’s
humiliation, she identifies the collapse of dharma and the silencing
of women in a patriarchal society.
- Gandhari’s blindfold becomes a symbol of wasted potential and voluntary
subjugation.
These interpretations highlight social realities and psychological struggles, turning the epic into a mirror of human society rather than a divine allegory.
Critical Treatment of Power and Morality
Another aspect of Karve’s
critical analysis is her questioning of power, dharma, and morality. She
critiques how figures like Bhishma misuse their authority by staying silent in
moments of crisis, and how Krishna justifies bending rules for political
expediency. Instead of glorifying these actions, Karve exposes their
contradictions, showing how the epic reflects the complexity of moral
choices in human life.
Historical Reading of the Epic
Karve also treats the
Mahabharata as a historical record of social transition. The title Yuganta—“the
end of an epoch”—captures this idea. The war signifies not just a clash between
cousins but the collapse of an old order of values. Joint families,
unquestioned obedience to elders, and the clarity of dharma give way to
uncertainty, ambition, and moral ambiguity. This historical perspective is a
hallmark of critical analysis, as it situates the epic in its social context.
Message and Relevance
By presenting the Mahabharata
critically, Karve delivers a message that remains relevant: human beings are
shaped by ambition, duty, and social pressures; power without justice leads to
destruction; and every age faces its own yuganta—the death of old values
and the birth of new ones. Her analysis allows readers to see the epic not as a
remote myth but as a living text reflecting timeless human dilemmas.
Conclusion
Iravati Karve’s Yuganta:
The End of an Epoch is rightly described as a critical analysis of the
Mahabharata. Through rational interpretation, sociological insight, and
psychological realism, she turns mythological heroes into relatable human
beings. By critiquing their use of power, exposing their moral weaknesses, and
situating them in the larger context of social change, Karve demonstrates that
the Mahabharata is not just a sacred story but a profound study of human nature
and society. Her work thus bridges the gap between ancient epic and modern
critical thought, making Yuganta an enduring classic of literary and
cultural analysis.
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