Power Politics

Book Five of the Mahabharata, the Udyoga Parva (Book of Effort), deals with negotiations between the Kauravas and Pandavas. After thirteen years of exile, it is time for the Kauravas to return Indraprastha to the Pandavas, as per the terms of the agreement during the gambling match. Krishna knows that the Kauravas will use every trick in the book not to part with the land. Still, efforts are made for a peaceful transition of power. As we know from the epic, these efforts fail to bear fruit. First, Drupada’s messenger makes the request to the Kauravas. Then the Kauravas send Sanjaya. The Pandavas then send Krishna, who even tries compromise for the sake of peace. Finally, the Kauravas send Uluka to insult the Pandavas. During the exchange of messages and negotiations, Dhritarashtra consults with wise men like Vidura and Sanatasujata. The elders Bhisma and Drona want peace. Duryodhana, with Karna by his side, wants war.
Krishna tries to get Karna to the Pandava side to avoid war but Karna chooses his integrity to peace. Satyaki speaks of how negotiations never work from a position of weakness.
Sizing them up
Each side measures the strengths and weaknesses of the other. Some warlords like Balarama do not fight for any side.Those like Krishna help both sides. Others like Shalya, though related to the Pandavas, are tricked into helping the Kauravas. Still others like Yuyutsu change sides and prefer to fight on the side of the Kauravas. There are long conversations on what is right, what should matter to kings,on the value of peace, and the importance of digging heels and not submitting. Only then, after these long discussions, is war finally declared. As we witness the electoral process in various state elections of India,we realise how much Udyoga Parva happens in democracy.No, there is no war. But there is continuous negotiation for getting allies in order to grab power. In a democracy, the party with the largest number of seats in the state assembly becomes the ruling party, for a stipulated period of time. Which means, every few years, we see a civilised, non-violent warfare called elections at the level of the country, state, city and village. In other words, democracy creates a continuous low-grade Mahabharata where politicians are constantly fighting for power, striving to grab maximum number of seats. Theoretically, it is the will of the people manifesting. However, everyone knows that votes can be bought. In case of the very poor, this is done by giving them gifts like television sets, or sewing machines, that they cannot afford to buy. Obligated, they repay their debt by voting for the gift-giver.
(To be continued)