2021, Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part D

Author(s): Aditi Govil

Abstract: The Hindi play ‘Andhayuga’ by Dharamvir Bharati is an analogy between the devastation caused by the great war of Mahabharata and ravages caused due to the partition of India in 1947. Its main theme is anti-war. However, this paper analyzes the predicament of one of its characters, Yuyutsu, a Kaurava prince, Dhritrashtra and Gandhari’s lone surviving son. After the war, he was mainly concerned with the reestablishment of dharma, which he thought would happen immediately after it as it was won by those who were righteous. But since it did not happen, it made him depressed and confused. It was coupled with the humiliation and neglect that he suffered at the hands of his erring family as he had fought against them. The gory events that followed the war made him question his decision to the point that he began casting doubt on the guidance of Krishna Himself. Lonely and faithless, he committed suicide. His concerns, however, were not individualistic. He was primarily anxious about the future of man in that blind world. The questions that he raised were not only about the futility of war, but their scope was wider. These queries were answered by Vidura and a vyadha (Jara) in two different ways. The vyadha stated that those who are not blind in passions and perverted will save the future of man. Jara therefore suggested the karma marga, while Vidura suggested the bhakti marga where there is complete trust in God. Yuyutsu, however, had lost his faith. He did not see the promise of restoration of dharma by Krishna getting fulfilled. He sought answers but he did not find satisfactory reply to his questions and his predicament continued, even after his death.

DOI: 10.22271/multi.2021.v3.i1d.621

Pages: 349-352 | Views: 61 | Downloads: 30

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