The Battle Tactics of the Epic Battles

INTRODUCTION In the heart of human civilization’s epic past, conflicts were more than mere physical confrontations. They were complex sagas, embodying the personification of fundamental aspects of human existence—good versus evil, order versus chaos, justice versus treachery. They encapsulated profound wisdom, deep cultural nuances and surreal narratives that influenced mankind's philosophical, cultural, and spiritual fabric for millennia. This article delves deep into one such colossal epic clash—a masterpiece of strategic warfare, filled with heroic characters, divine interventions, and profound wisdom—The Mahabharata. The tale, replete with Machiavellian strategies and relentless tactics, remains unparalleled in literary oeuvre, with frequent brushes with myth and symbolism that enrich its arc. ORIGIN AND CULTURAL CONTEXT The Mahabharata, or 'The Great Bharata War,' originating from ancient Indian subcontinent around 3000 BC, is more than a mere historical account of a daunting military engagement. Penned by the ancient sage, Vyasa, it’s a vast encyclopedic narration of myths, legends, and moral stories woven into an intricate tapestry of grand philosophical discourses and profound existential queries. The narrative orbiting around the epochal 18 days war between the noble Pandavas and their usurping cousins, the Kauravas, transcends beyond the boundaries of a regional conflict, to illustrate a universal struggle between Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). THE LEGEND OR STORY The Battle of Kurukshetra, the climactic conflict around which the epic revolves, is marked by the outstanding leadership of the divine-charioted Arjuna, the philosophically enriched counsel of Krishna, and the unsubdued determination of the antagonistic Kauravas. As the war trumpets sound, the Pandavas on one side and Kauravas on another, lining up their chariots is an exhibit of sheer strategic brilliance. The deployment of the chaturangabala (four-fold army) as per ancient Indian military science is depicted meticulously, with elephants, chariot-wielding warriors, horse-mounted cavalry, and infantry forming a hybrid force. Over 18 days, the two-largest armies of their times engage in fierce battle, employing cunning stratagems, surprising maneuvers, and spectacular encounters that challenge established norms of warfare. The divinely blessed weapons (Astras), magical illusions (Maya), and dramatic turns of events with divine interventions make this more than just a war; it is a riveting opera of cosmic proportions! INTERPRETATIONS AND SYMBOLISM Beneath the martial pageantry and blood-forged heroics of this epic conflict lies an ocean of symbolism. The war is not simply a historical encounter but an allegory of the perennial struggle within every human—the clash between our ignoble lower self (Kauravas) and nobler higher self (Pandavas) vying for control of our inner Kurukshetra. Krishna, as Arjuna’s charioteer, is the embodiment of Supreme Consciousness guiding the human intellect (Arjuna) towards enlightened action amidst worldly trials. Each character, weapon, and event in the epic is symbolic. The death of the virtuous Abhimanyu in the impenetrable Chakravyuha represents the entrapments of worldly illusions. The cursed Ashwatthama showcases the inevitable miseries faced by individuals led astray by reckless ambition and rage. COMPARISONS IN OTHER CULTURES Across cultures and epochs, compelling parallels are seen in other epic narratives. The Greek Iliad holds a similar intrigue of fate and free will, divine meddling, and noble warriors battling for honor, reminiscent of the Kurukshetra war. The legendary clash between Hector and Achilles mirrors the duel between Arjuna and Karna, both suffering from cursed destinies yet emerging as paragons of warrior virtues. Celtic legends, Teutonic sagas, and Norse Eddas also reflect comparable thematics of pivotal battles affecting cosmic balance, divine interventions, and moral quandaries faced by warriors. MODERN REFERENCES AND POP CULTURE The Mahabharata's narrative continuum extends into modern literature, movies, and pop culture. Peter Brook's play and subsequent movie ‘Mahabharata’ saw global acclaim. Star-plus aired a television series: Mahabharat, which garnered massive viewership in India during Covid-19 lockdown. In literature, various re-tellings of the epic like ‘The Palace of Illusions’ by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, or ‘Mrityunjaya’ by Shivaji Sawant, reinterpret its characters and events in contemporary context. LEGACY AND LASTING MYSTERIES The Mahabharata, with its profound philosophy and the mind-boggling narrative of the epic Kurukshetra war, continues to fascinate researchers and enthusiasts. Unresolved mysteries, like the uncanny resemblance of the Brahmastra weapon with modern nuclear warfare, or the astronomical references hinting at the epic's precise historical timeline, keep the legendary epic relevant and intriguing. The Mahabharata’s legacy in shaping India's philosophical, cultural, and social ethos is unmatched. The Bhagavad Gita, part of the epic delivered just before the war, stands as a timeless guide to life, transcending cultural, religious and geographical boundaries. For the past 5000 years, the epic has withstood the test of time, leaving a deep imprint on human civilization, promising to continue its influence for millennia to come.