Mahabharata

Discuss the theme of dharma (duty/righteousness) in the context of familial and societal obligations. How do characters like Bhishma and Yudhishthira grapple with their conflicting duties, and how do these struggles question the boundaries of moral duty?

Examine divine interventions in the Mahabharata and their implications for human action and moral accountability. How does the portrayal of gods influencing human affairs, particularly Krishna’s guidance of Arjuna, shape the narrative’s exploration of justice, fate, and moral responsibility? Discuss how Slavitt’s adaptation might affect Western readers’ interpretations of divine interference and its effects on individual agency.

Compare Slavitt’s depiction of heroism in the Mahabharata with that found in classical Western epics such as The Iliad and The Odyssey. In what ways do figures like Arjuna, Bhishma, and Karna both conform to and challenge Western ideals of heroism, including honor, loyalty, and sacrifice? Which aspects of heroism does Slavitt emphasize or downplay, and why?

Explore the portrayal of gender roles, focusing on key female figures such as Draupadi, Kunti, and Gandhari. How does the Mahabharata highlight the influence and agency of women within a male-dominated society? Analyze how these female characters navigate power, loyalty, and revenge, and discuss what their roles reveal about gendered power dynamics in this ancient Indian context.

Analyze the theme of sacrifice, particularly through Bhishma’s vow of celibacy, Karna’s loyalty to Duryodhana, and Yudhishthira’s adherence to dharma. What do these acts of sacrifice suggest about the interplay between personal identity, duty, and spiritual salvation? What is the nature of renunciation within the epic’s moral framework?

Consider the use of symbolism. How do recurring elements like weapons, the dice game, and the battlefield at Kurukshetra deepen the epic’s central themes of honor, fate, and destruction?

Evaluate the Mahabharata as a cultural and historical document. How does the epic represent elements of ancient Indian culture, such as the caste system, rituals, and social roles? What are the challenges and benefits of presenting this information in a Western translation/adaptation?

Examine Slavitt’s narrative approach to abridging and adapting the Mahabharata, focusing on his editorial decisions regarding character portrayals and thematic focus. How do his choices—such as omitting the Bhagavad Gita—shape the epic’s messages on war, justice, and morality? Analyze how Slavitt’s perspective might both broaden and limit one’s engagement with the Mahabharata’s potential philosophical and cultural layers.