Sadhguru looks at the essence of what the story of Mahabharat represents, and explores crucial episodes of the epic - from Duryodhana's choices to Krishna's role in Kurukshetra. Click on each story to read it.

Sadhguru: Essentially, the story is trying to make sure that every kind of human being, from the lowest to the highest possibility, has a role to play. If you involve yourself in the story, you can see yourself playing out so many roles. Are you a Duryodhana, are you a Bhima, are you a Yudhisthara? Every one of the emotions that led these people to grand disasters exists within you, and they are leading you to minor disasters because you are a minor human being compared to them. If you were a very big human being, you would have gotten into big trouble. The Mahabharat is not for entertainment. You can grow out of many things in the process of living through what other people lived through. If you have to live it, it would be too expensive life-wise. Without going through the pain, without going through the drama of those things in your life, you can come out transformed.

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Mahabharat Stories

Karna – A Great Being Gone Bad
Karna is among the most popular yet tragic heroes of the epic. What was it that tied Karna to the Kauravas' side despite his noble and honorable character?

Duryodhana’s Big Mistake
This story relates a situation when Krishna was approached to become an ally, by both Duryodhana and Arjuna, as they were building up great armies before the battle at Kurukshetra. Duryodhana‘s attitude and choice cost him dearly, though he doesn’t immediately realize his folly.

No Black and White in Life
Sadhguru looks at Krishna’s offer to Duryodhana to illustrate dharma and adharma, and that there is no black and white in life.

Treachery at Kurukshetra
One of the most confusing aspects of Krishna is his use of deceit during the war. We look at the basis behind these actions through some vividly narrated incidents from the battle.

Krishna’s Game of War
Among the lesser known of the many Mahabharata stories, this short South Indian tale features a king from Udipi and Krishna’s penchant for peanuts.

The Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga of Devotion
Sadhguru looks at the essence of the Gita, and what it means to be a devotee.

Why Is Krishna Blue?
Blue is one aspect of the legend of Krishna that has remain unchanged through time and geography. What is behind this “blue magic?”

Editor's Note: Watch the Leela series, where Sadhguru explores the life and path of Krishna. Available as a free webstream – one part every week.