Mahabharata Meeting

Our last meeting was about the Mahabharata, the presenters came up with an abridged version of the important events. 

• Dhritarashthra and Pandu were brothers, both princes of the Hastinapur. Because Dhritarashthra was born blind, Pandu took over as King, but was later cursed. Pandu went hunting and shot a stag who was mating. Before the stag died, he cursed Pandu that if he ever lay with a woman, he would die. Knowing he could never have sons, he stepped down from the throne and Dhritarashthra took over.
• Pandu and his wife Kunti left to the forest, where Kunti revelaed that she possessed an incantation that would allow a God to fill her womb with his power. This way, the five Padavas were born.
• Yudhisthira was conceived by Dharma, and grew to be the most law abiding of men. Bhima was conceived by Vayu the wind, and he grew strong and powerful. Arjuna was conceived by Indra, and grew to be the master of weapons, the Lord of Victory. Finally, Madri, Pandu’s second wife used the incantation to bare twins Nakula and Sahadeva, sons of the twin physician gods.
• Pandu later dies do to the curse put on him by the stag as he cannot resist Madri as she is bathing. Once he dies, Madri throws herself on the funeral pyre, leaving Kunti with her 5 sons.
• In Hastinapura, Dhritarashthra had 100 sons and 1 daughter, by Gandhari. The oldest was Duryodhana, who took the role of crown prince.
• Draupadi, who was won by Arjuna at her svayambara, goes with Arjuna to the hut that they reside in. Jokingly, Arjuna tells his mother that he got something new in his begging bowl. Kunti, without looking up, tells Arjuna that whatever it may be, he must share it with his brothers. As a mother’s word is law, Draupadi marries all 5 brothers.
• Kunti returns to Hastinapura with the Pandavas and wants them to rule what is rightfully theirs.
• The kingdom is split in half, Dhritrashthra ruling Hastinapura and the Pandavas taking reign over the undeveloped east, renaming it, Indraprasta. The Pandavas prospered in Indraprasta and over 12 years surpassed Hastinapura. Yudishtira then decided to perform the Royal Sacrifice that would make him king of all the known world. When he did this, he invited all the kings in his dominion to celebrate, outraging Duryodhana.
• Duryodhana and Sakuni, younger brother of Dhritarashthra’s wife Gadhari, scheme to defeat Yudishtira in a game of dice. Yudishtira accepts, due to his inability to resist a challenge.
• Vidura warns Yudishtira that they will cheat, but he cannot refuse to play.
  In this game of dice, Yudishtira loses all he has. When he has nothing more to bet, Duryodhana asks him to gamble his brothers, which he loses one by one, then himself, Draupadi and finally wagers a 12 year exile and a year in anonymity.
• Draupadi is forced to come to court and is shamed. They try to remove her saree, but it never ends, as Krishna protects her. At the end, Dhristarasthra allows her to have 3 boons. She asks for Yudhistira to be free, as well as his 4 brothers and nothing more.
• They all then leave  for the forest for 13 years, then return to reclaim their kingdom, which they are refused.
• This then leads to the Kurukshetra War.
• During the war, the Bhagavad Gita scene occurs. Here Krishna and Arjun speak of Dharma, the duty that one must fulfill.
• As Arjuna stands, overlooking the battlefield, he asks Krishna, why he must be subjected to kill his own family. Krishna retorts, saying that he must carry out his dharma, and do what is right, and be heedless of consequence.
• The 18 day battle ends with all 100 sons of Dritarashtra dead. Only the Pandavas and a few others survive.

As for interpretations go, everyone has their own view. How to do you perceive this poem? The Gita? Are there parts of the story you heard but we didn't cover? Let us know!

Hinduism's View on Sex

In Hinduism, views of sexual morality differ widely depending on the sect. Hindu scriptures themselves are often vague about sexuality. Sexual restraint, by some, may be considered essential to a Hindu's well being and dharmic/karmic duties. Sexual variance was seen as a creative expression and was not expressly discouraged; it was also encouraged as a part of a human soul's need to experience the multifariousness that the world has to offer; but it is deemed, as with any other worldly act, impermanent and imperfect compared to the bliss of moksha. Religiously speaking, some Hindus believe life begins at the Brahmacharya or "student" state, in which they are directed to advance themselves educationally and spiritually to prepare themselves for a life of furthering their dharma and karma. Once they reach the Grihstya or "householder" state can they seek kama (physical pleasure) and artha (world achievement, material prosperity), but it is believed reproduction and starting a family is the dharma of the householder. The Kama Sutra, widely believed to be jut a manual for sexual congress, offers an insight into sexual mores, ethics, and societal rules that were prevalent at that time.

Hindu views of homosexuality and, in general, LGBTQ issues, are diverse. Homosexuality is regarded as one of the possible expressions of human desire and Hindu stories have portrayed homosexual experience. The Manusmriti, which lists the oldest codes of conduct that were proposed to be followed by a Hindu, admonishes homosexual behavior only mildly. Homosexual behavior among ordinarily males of the priestly class is classified only as a minor offense for which a ritual bathing is prescribed.

Here are some loosely translated quotes from the Upanishads:

- "When the generative organ, mounted on by intelligence, on obtains bliss, delight and procreation" - Chapter 3 Verse 6
- "Day and night, verily, are Prajapati. Of these, day is the eater, prana and night, the food, rayi. Those who join in sexual enjoyment by day verily dissipate life; but to join in sexual enjoyment by night, verily, castily" - Question 1, Verse 13

Discussion Questions:
1) The Upanishads seem to support sex as an expression of love, but not as an act of lust. Do you think sex that is done as an expression of love between an unmarried couple would be considered sinful in Hinduism? i.e. would "chaste" premarital sex be sinful?

2) What do you believe the role of sex is in context of the 4 Purusharthas? (Dharma, Artha, Moksha, Kama)

3) What are some ways that sex has become more prominent in Hinduism and Indian culture? Was sex always a discussed topic?

4) Do you think Hinduism is explicit on the topic of homosexuality or more ambiguous? Why?

5) Are you a "better" ore more "holy" person by choosing to refrain from sexual activities (even if you think about it all the time)?

6) Is it worse to be in love but not married and have sex, or not to be in love but be married and have sex?

7) Given that sex is a means for procreation, is it okay to have a child that was artificially impregnated in vitro (without having sex)? Is it okay to have sex with your partner if you know that they are infertile and cannot create a child?