ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND DILEMMAS IN MAHABHARATA

Submitted By:Ansuman Mishra (09)

Awiral Kumar Das (16)
Kunal Kaushal (24)
Laxmi Parashram Bele (25)
Rohan Kumar Sinha (39)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We have made this report file on the topic Ethical principles and dilemmas in Mahabharata.
We have tried our best to illuminate the relevant details to the topic to be included in the report.
While in the beginning we have given a few definitions, later we have tried to delve into the
depths of it in a simple and lucid manner.
We would like to express my hearty gratitude to Biswanath Swain Sir, for giving us this golden
opportunity to enrich our understanding of various ethical frameworks.

Ansuman Mishra (09)

Awiral Kumar Das (16)
Kunal Kaushal (24)
Laxmi Parashram Bele (25)
Rohan Kumar Sinha (39)

TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction and features of Ethical Frameworks.

Few Mahabharata incidents
Application of incidents to frameworks.
Recommendation
Bibliography

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION TO ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS
What is ethics?
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending
concepts of right and wrong conduct. It refers to basic concepts and fundamental principles of
decent human conduct. It includes study of universal values.

Types of Ethical frameworks

Utilitarianism.
It is all is well that ends well. The end justifies means. Utilitarianism wants you to look at the
final objective only. If the final goal achieved is for the good of the public, it means that the
means to achieve said goal are justified. It states that the consequences of any action are the only
standard of right and wrong.

Deontology.
Deontology is an approach to Ethics that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions
themselves, as opposed to Utilitarianism or Virtue Ethics. In deontology, an action is considered
morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the
action is good. Deontology holds that at least some acts are morally obligatory regardless of their
consequences for human welfare.

Virtue Ethics.
Virtue Ethics is an approach to Ethics that emphasizes an individual's character as the key
element of ethical thinking, rather than Deontology or Consequentialism .Virtue
ethics emphasizes the role of one's character and the virtues that one's character embodies for
determining or evaluating ethical behavior.

CHAPTER-2
FEW MAHABHARATA INCIDENTS
There are two incidents which we would like to describe, which perfect illustrations of
utilitarianism and deontology are.

2.1 The Story of Jayadratha

In the Kurukshetra war, the Kauravas arranged their army in Chakravyuha. Only Arjuna and
Abhimanyu knew how to break this formation. Since Arjuna was away fighting, the task fell to
Abhimanyu to break this formation. The Pandavas would follow Abhimanyus lead and cover his
back, is what was decided. However, the Kaurava army, knowing of Jayadrathas boon by Lord
Shiva of being able to stop all the Pandavas except for Arjuna for one whole day in battle, had
planned for this and put him at the head of the formation. This led Abhimanyu into the midst of
the Kaurava army, and Jayadratha, prevented the rest of them from following him inside. Inside
the formation, he was killed mercilessly.
Arjuna, came to know of the death of his son after the days fighting was over. He vowed right
there that he would kill Jayadratha by sundown the next day, or he would kill himself if he failed.
The Kaurava army, upon hearing this, put all their efforts into protecting Jaydratha the next day.
Arjuna started out hard against the Kauravas during the first half of the day, but Krishna realized
that it would be too late before he reached Jayadratha. So, using his illusionist powers, he made
the entire battlefield dark. He hid the sun behind the clouds, so that everyone thought it was

sundown and that Arjuna had failed. Jayadratha happily stepped out of his chariot and came to
face Arjuna and Krishna, looking elated. That is when Krishna dispelled the illusion and told
Arjuna Look, there is the sun and there is Jayadratha. Now put an arrow to your bow and take
his head off. Arjuna thus finished off Jayadrath.

2.2 The discourse of Krishna to Arjuna

As the Kurukshetra battle draws to a close, Arjuna is overcome with self-doubt about the
righteousness of the war against his own kith and kin. He is distraught at the thought of having to
fight with his friends and family such as his dear teacher, Drona and grandsire Bhishma. It was
then that Krishna takes charge and explained the necessity and inevitability of the war to Arjuna.
He said the famous quotes, Do thy work, do not worry about the consequences. This is the basis
of Deontology.

CHAPTER-3
APPLICATION OF INCIDENTS TO FRAMEWORKS
Utilitarianism

Krishna knew that Arjuna would never have reached Jayadratha by sundown. He, therefore,
used his powers to cast and illusion and help Arjuna win. Were these really unethical tactics? The
Kauravas were vicious and unjust towards the Pandavas and gave them a lot of hardship. In our
opinion, Krishna made sure the good side won, despite using some tactics which were not
completely in keeping with ethical behavior. But, since the other side didnt care a lot about
ethical behavior when they were tormenting the Pandavas either, we would say that his actions
are justified. And for the record, the citizens of the kingdom were much happier with the
Pandavas than they were with the Kauravas. We think that helping the Pandavas win, was much
better for the public, which Krishna sought to do, ultimately. And so, we think his actions are
justified.

Deontology
Arjuna was skeptical about committing fratricide. He had lost the inner battle with himself. It
was then Krishna who advised him the right thing saying him he should go ahead with the war
which would ensure the triumph of good over evil. His timely deontological advice ensured the
victory of Pandavas which would not have otherwise been possible. Thus, his actions were
justified.

CHAPTER-4

RECOMMENDATION

We should follow utilitarianism, virtue ethics or deontology as per the situation as exemplified
by Lord Krishna. We should avoid egoism at all costs.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://blogs.lt.vt.edu/kunalpatankar/2013/11/13/the-mahabharata-an-ethics-study/
http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/h_es/h_es_chakr_morality.htm
https://www.quora.com/Can-someone-define-deontology-for-me
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10781-012-9154-3#/page-1
http://www.slideshare.net/ruchitadey/values-and-ethical-lessons-from-mahabharata-33656610

TEACHERS REMARK: