Question

This is an excerpt from the Adi Parvan (literally, the first section) of the Sanskrit Mahabharata, describing why conflicts arose amongst the Kauravas and Pandavas: The Kauravas were the … sons of Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas … were their cousins. Since Dhritarashtra was blind, his younger brother Pandu ascended the throne of Hastinapura (see Map 1) … However, after the premature death of Pandu, Dhritarashtra became king, as the royal princes were still very young. As the princes grew up together, the citizens of Hastinapura began to express their preference for the Pandavas, for they were more capable and virtuous than the Kauravas. This made Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, jealous. He approached his father and said, “You yourself did not receive the throne, although it fell to you, because of your defect. If the Pandava receives the patrimony from Pandu, his son will surely inherit it in turn, and so will his son, and his. We ourselves with our sons shall be excluded from the royal succession and become of slight regard in the eyes of the world, lord of the earth!” Passages such as these may not have been literally true, but they give us an idea about what those who wrote the text thought. Sometimes, as in this case, they contain conflicting ideas.

Read the passage and list the different criteria suggested for becoming king. Of these, how important was birth in a particular family? Which of these criteria seem justified? Are there any that strike you as unjust?

Answer 1

I. Criteria Suggested for Becoming King

1. Patrilineal Succession: Inheriting patrimony directly from father to son.
2. Physical Fitness: Being free from any severe physical disabilities.
3. Virtue and Capability: Possessing righteousness and practical governing skills.
4. Public Preference: Gaining the support and approval of citizens.

II. Importance of Birth in a Particular Family

1. Crucial Factor: Birth was the primary determinant of succession.
2. Patriliny Rules: Power naturally flowed down a specific royal line.
3. Exclusion Risk: Being born outside the ruling branch meant permanent exclusion.
4. Status Anchor: Royal birth determined one’s regard in the world.

III. Justified vs. Unjust Criteria

1. Justified Criteria
   • Capability: Ruling requires high skill and intelligence.
   • Virtue: A king must be righteous to govern fairly.
   • Public Choice: Citizens’ preferences ensure stable and peaceful rule.
2. Unjustified Criteria
   • Physical Disability Exclusion: Passing over Dhritarashtra solely due to blindness.
   • Blind Lineage Claim: Demanding the throne purely based on birth order.
   • Exclusion of Merit: Rejecting more capable candidates for family politics.