Dharmakṣetra; Kurukṣetra; Karmaṇighora. Dharma field; Kuru field; Violent, gory combat. Reading the Bhagavadgītā in its Mahābhāratan combat context as a sacred source for understanding and preparing for the impact of nonphysical postcombat trauma

Morton, Brooks St. Clair (2022). Dharmakṣetra; Kurukṣetra; Karmaṇighora. Dharma field; Kuru field; Violent, gory combat. Reading the Bhagavadgītā in its Mahābhāratan combat context as a sacred source for understanding and preparing for the impact of nonphysical postcombat trauma. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Rita Brock and Gabriella Lettini ask in Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury after War, “Is there an adequate psychological and spiritual preparation for the consequences of killing?” I use their question to bridge emerging combat trauma literature (ECTL) with the ancient Hindu sacred sources, the Bhagavadgītā (Bg) in the Mahābhārata (Mbha). In this thesis, I make two general contributions. First, I read the Bg in its epic Mhbn combat context seeking ancient insight into nonphysical combat trauma. Secondly, I provide a clear ontological, epistemological, and phenomenological voice to read ECTL critically. Thus, to borrow Anthony Thiselton’s metaphor, I “bridge the horizons” of both disciplines with the following hypothesis: In the Bg, Krṣṇa prepared Arjuna for killing by correcting (re-ordered) Arjuna from a state of guṇa-karma epistemological disorder to a state of combat readiness. Yet, Kṛṣṇa’s śādhi (“correction”) did not insulate Arjuna from the negative impact of “violent, gory combat” (karmaṇighora). Thus, the post-Gītā Arjuna struggled to remain combat ready and effective, true to his declaration, “I stand as one who no longer doubts. I will accomplish your command” (Bg 18.73). In Part 1, I critically read ECTL and the symbolic and political commentators of the Bg. In Part 2, I categorize the nonphysical combat trauma of karmaṇighora at Kuruksetra. Then, I examine the terms describing Arjuna’s dharma crisis. Next, I examine Kṛṣṇa’s restorative response in the following imperatives “see” (paśya), “patiently endure” (titikṣasva), “know” (viddhi), and √sthā (uttiṣṭha, “stand up,”), highlighting the revelation of Sthānu advancing before him in battle. Finally, I provide accounts of how karmaṇighora impacted Arjuna and other kṣatriyas over the 18-day war. I conclude by reflecting on two emerging inquiries: Does Kṛṣṇa’s śādhi adequately prepare Arjuna for killing at Kurukṣetra? Is there such a thing as a soul wound in the Bg in its Mhbn combat context?

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):