মহাভারতের সমাজ: বর্ণ ও আশ্রম প্রথা

The Society of the Mahabharata: Caste and Social Order

Abstract

The Mahabharata is considered an epic, but its historical value is undeniable. The narrative, which has long been studied as an aural scripture, traces the history of Indian civilization from its inception to the development of urban life. In this sense, the structure of the social system of that time has been detailed in the book. One of the phases of this transitional period of society is the ‘Varnashram’ custom. Which is a combination of the words ‘Varna’ and ‘Ashram’ have both literal and philosophical meanings. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras– the four classes in this case, refer to ‘Varna’, and ‘Ashram’ means the four stages of caste-centered lifestyle: Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sannyas. The social system of that time was regulated through this system. In this context, the Mahabharata is one of the principal sources of Indian social records. This essay, therefore, aims to analyze the social systems evolved through castes and ashrams over time with reference to the Mahabharata.