It is often said that what is not in Mahabharat is not worth knowing. In short, Mahabharat contains all the knowledge. And I am not talking about just the wisdom contained in Bhagvadgeeta, or the talks on politics, social life and religion between many of the extremely knowledgeable characters here. Neither am I talking about the endless plots, subplots, conspiracies, relationships and other things which would give the best soap operas of our times a run for their money.
What I am talking about is that every single time you start reading this story of Bharat, you find yourself with a new understanding of those times and a new knowledge of people and how they functioned then.
It is to spread that knowledge amongst the masses that we have started this new series, a collection of teachings the Mahabharat story provides us. After all, fame increases by spreading knowledge1.
The series will contain some dramatic insights in the life of people of ancient Bharat, as well as carefully researched thoughts on how this tome of endless knowledge can be used to improve the standards of our lives today.
Part I: How they achieved Enlightenment?
Just as an example, we all have seen the palaces and houses of those times. But has anybody stopped to think about what we saw2? Those houses were often full of rooms without proper-sized windows (visualize any throne room in any palace), and yet they would always be full of enough light to shame today’s 100-watters and tube-lights. Now, we are not amongst those people who believe that our ancestors had invented everything, including electricity. There is a much simpler and much more elegant solution which they had found out.
And what is that solution? Just visualize any king, noble or even simple soldier from those times. Now answer me this. How much lumens of light will be reflected into a room when (say) 50 people, each covered with 75% of their body-area with highly reflective metals like gold, stand at strategic positions around one candle3? Now substitute that candle with a brace of torches, or a candelabra, and you should get some serious lighting in any room of any size.
Told you, much simpler, environment-friendly and visually pleasing at the same time. Our ancestors were a smart lot.
Don’t believe us? Perhaps you will believe us when the idea is copied by the West and comes back to us from them. Oh wait, they already did it. Remember the scene from “The Mummy” where they reflect a single ray of sunlight with a mirror to light the entire (cavernous) room?
That’s all for today. And till the next time, here’s something for you to consider: Cheese must be an ingredient in Draupadi’s “Akshaya Patra”. How many times have we seen a pizza slice reluctant to let go of the comfort of the circle, and the resultant endless strings of cheese like the hands of two lovers from Bollywood cinema being dragged apart by their “pyar ke dushman” parents?
Coming up next: Measuring time in ancient times
- The Great Eagle Has Spoken
Footnotes:
1. Before you start shooting e-mails correcting me, that is the correct proverb for the Kaliyug.
2. Hint: nobody before us did.
3. Did you expect the answer here? We are not going to do all the hard-work here, people.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Shri Mahabharat Katha Part I
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2 Comments:
I bow to your.....illuminating wisdom.
I really hope there will be an entry on how 150 lb men were able to wave around weapons that must have weighed at least 500 lb of solid, badly-balanced iron? That one has always confused me. Thanks.
@Mikeachim: We are currently pursuing two hypothesis: One, things are not what they look like. Two, six-pack abs. Keep reading for more such powerful articles ;)
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