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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The Mahābhārata and the classical realist tradition
Authors
Dr. Shyam Jyoti Saikia
Abstract
This paper analyses the Mahābhārata as a seminal work of classical
political realism, articulating a worldview that predates but profoundly
resonates with the twentieth-century realist tradition of E.H. Carr, Hans
Morgenthau and Reinhold Niebuhr. The epic champions an interest-based
statecraft cantered on Rājadharma (the duty of kings) and Artha (statecraft) while
offering a sustained critique of idealistic or utopian governance. Through its
narrative, the Mahābhārata explores core realist tenets: the centrality of
power, the flawed nature of humanity, the priority of national interest, and
the prudent often tragic management of conflict. This study argues that the
epic not only anticipates but richly embodies the philosophical and practical
concerns of classical realism.
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Pages:204-205
How to cite this article:
Dr. Shyam Jyoti Saikia "The Mahābhārata and the classical realist tradition". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 204-205
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