SHREYA SEMWAL

Dr. SMITA GANDOTRA

INDIAN WRITING IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION

You may be a god

you may be omnipotent

whatever you are

whoever you are

I curse you

and I curse all your friends and kinsmen.

Dharamvir Bharati's play "Andha Yug" unfolds against the backdrop of the Mahabharata,

offering a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the consequences of violence.

At the heart of this epic tragedy is the character of Gandhari, whose portrayal embodies the

complexities of allegiances, curses, and retribution. Through Gandhari's tragic journey, Bharti

delves into the paradoxical nature of human relationships and the cyclical nature of violence,

ultimately highlighting the futility of vengeance. The excerpt provided encapsulates

Gandhari's anguish and despair as she curses the divine Krishna, holding him responsible for

the devastation that has befallen her family. In her fury, she condemns not only Krishna but

also his friends and kinsmen, foreseeing a future marked by bloodshed and cannibalism. This

curse, laden with bitterness and resentment, underscores Gandhari's deep sense of betrayal

and loss, as well as her desperate attempt to assert agency in the face of overwhelming
tragedy. The concept of karma, central to Hindu philosophy, posits that every action has

consequences, both in this life and the next. By cursing Lord Krishna and his allies, Gandhari

sets into motion a chain of events that ultimately leads to her own downfall. Her curse, fueled

by her sense of righteous indignation, is itself an act of karma, subject to the same cosmic

laws that govern the universe. Furthermore, Gandhari's inability to see beyond her immediate

grief and anger blinds her to the broader implications of her actions. In cursing Lord Krishna,

she fails to recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and the futility of seeking

vengeance in a world governed by the laws of karma. Her curse, therefore, is not merely an

act of retribution but a tragic misunderstanding of the cosmic order. Moreover, Gandhari's

curse exposes the fragility of human relationships and the inherent contradictions within

allegiances. As a mother, wife, and queen, she is torn between her duty to her family and her

sense of justice. Her condemnation of Krishna, a revered deity and mentor to her own son,

reflects the depths of her despair and disillusionment. Yet, even as she rails against him, she

acknowledges his divine nature, highlighting the complexity of their relationship and the

conflicting loyalties it entails. Her curse is also a potent symbol of the dehumanizing effects

of war and violence. In likening Krishna's allies to "rabid dogs" and predicting their descent

into savagery, she exposes the moral degradation wrought by conflict. By extension, her curse

also implicates humanity as a whole, suggesting that the capacity for cruelty and destruction

lies dormant within all of us. The play unfolds on the final day of the battle, featuring

characters like Gandhari who emerge prominently at this late stage, contrasting with the

epic's protagonists. She is focused on the immediate circumstances of the war, feeling

aggrieved by the unfolding events. However, it's important to recognize that the conflict on

the last day is a culmination of preceding actions that led to the war. Despite her strong voices

in the final moments, it absolves her of taking responsibility for her earlier decisions. For

modernist readers like Bharati, avoiding the war becomes paramount, conflicting with the
pursuit of justice. Yet, when Gandhari claims that "dharma, duty, and honour were illusions"

and advises Duryodhana that victory follows dharma, she reveals her limited understanding

of a holistic truth. Her awareness is clouded by false beliefs, preventing her from making

moral judgments in unfavourable situations. By adhering to prophecies, she wishes to believe

in, she lacks foresight, influencing her son Duryodhana's choices. Ultimately, Gandhari's self-

imposed blindness alters not only her destiny but also that of Duryodhana. Gandhari's cursing

of Krishna after the death of her sons cannot be justified from a rational standpoint.

Duryodhana's tragic downfall serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining basic

ethical standards in our everyday interactions. It highlights the consequences of abandoning

moral principles, which can lead to disastrous outcomes in our engagements with the world.

Her perspective is better understood through a psychoanalytical lens rather than historical or

political analysis. As a grieving mother, Gandhari's emotions are raw and intense,

transcending moral or political considerations. She expresses her pain through weeping,

mourning, and anger, detached from ideological positions. In contrast, Krishna's acceptance

of her curse represents an acknowledgment of objective truth amidst subjective

interpretations of reality. The ability to seek righteousness while remaining neutral is absent

in Gandhari. Upon realizing the gravity of her curse and Krishna's acceptance of it, Gandhari

experiences a profound moment of reflection. Her regretful acknowledgment, "I did not weep

like this for my hundred sons," suggests a sense of introspection and remorse. In this

moment, Gandhari confronts the limitations of her own grief and recognizes the

disproportionate nature of her response to her sons' deaths compared to her reaction to the

larger consequences of the war. Gandhari's internal conflict extends beyond her grief for her

sons to encompass broader themes of duty, righteousness, and the consequences of actions.

As a character deeply rooted in moral principles, Gandhari grapples with the implications of

her curse and its alignment with her values. This introspection adds depth to her character,
portraying her as more than just a grieving mother but as a nuanced individual wrestling with

complex moral dilemmas .In conclusion, Dharamvir Bharati's "Andha Yug" stands as a

profound exploration of human nature and morality, using Gandhari's character to delve into

the complexities of allegiance, justice, and the consequences of violence within the

Mahabharata narrative. Through her curse against Lord Krishna and his allies, Bharati

exposes the frailty of human relationships and the moral ambiguities inherent in moments of

profound grief and despair. Gandhari's journey serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the

dangers of clinging to rigid beliefs and prophecies without considering the broader

implications of one's actions.