(Sutton 2000, 10). The Pandavas belong to the Ksatriya varna; and hence, are seen struggling with the dharma corresponding to it. In fact, Yudhisthira engages in the war with the Kauravas in order to perform his Ksatriya-dharma. After the gambling game, he arrives at a position where his dharma suffers diminution deeming it impossible for him to perform his dharma as a ksatriya. Bhima, in convincing Yudhisthira to action, points out that he should perform his dharma, the duty pertaining to his own varna, and destroy his enemy. He was asking Yudhisthira to act according his Ksatriya-dharma.Another character that struggles with his Ksatriya-dharma is Arjuna. When the war is about to start, Arjuna refuses to pick up his weapons to kill his own relatives. It is then, Krsna convinces Arjuna that in order to act according to dharma; he should perform his own duty adequately than to excel in someone elses. And according to Ksatriya-dharma, Arjunas duty is to fight. It is after a long discourse with Krsna that Arjuna picks up his weapons and engages in the war that leads to the destruction of his own relatives. Another dharma that is given importance in the epic is the Raja-dharma. According to Raja-dharma, a kings duty is to ensure that the members of the four varnas in society are engaged in the ways of life appropriate to their status (Sutton 2000, 299). Raja-dharma is of political nature as well as of ethical nature. By following the Raja-dharma, an individual not only becomes a great king but also attains the goal of dharma in life. In the epic, Yudhisthira learns about Raja-dharma from the great Bhisma and other well-versed teachers in dharma. It is because of his knowledge and him following his dharma that he is able to lead a life of a great king.Whereas the above-mentioned dharmas are mainly aimed at the men, the womens highest dharma is considered to be the Stridharma. According the Stridharma, a womans duty is to ser...
