The Mother-Child Relationship in The Mahabharata: Bonds, Conflicts, and Societal Reflections

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65496/jssme.2025.73

Keywords:

Mahabharata, motherhood, kunti, gandhari, dharma, patriarchy

Abstract

The Mahabharata, one of the longest epics in world literature, offers profound insights into human relationships, particularly the mother-child bond. This paper explores the multifaceted portrayals of motherhood in the epic, examining key figures such as Kunti, Gandhari, and Madri, and their interactions with their offspring. Through a literary analysis informed by feminist and psychoanalytic perspectives, it argues that these relationships reflect broader themes of duty (dharma), sacrifice, and the patriarchal constraints of ancient Indian society. The study highlights how maternal figures navigate personal desires against societal expectations, often leading to tragic outcomes. By dissecting specific episodes, the paper illuminates the epic's commentary on familial dynamics and their enduring relevance to contemporary discussions on gender and kinship structure.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Prof. Neelima Pandey, University of Lucknow

    Prof. Neelima Pandey is a professor in the department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology at Lucknow University, India.

  • Priyanka Yadav, University of Lucknow

    Priyanka Yadav is a PhD Research scholar in the Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology at Lucknow University, India.

References

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Hiltebeitel, A. (1976). The ritual of battle: Krishna in the Mahabharata. Cornell University Press.

Kakar, S. (1978). The inner world: A psycho-analytic study of childhood and society in India. Oxford University Press.

Karve, I. (2017). Yuganta: The end of an epoch. Orient BlackSwan. (Original work published 1969)

Vyāsa. (1883–1896). The Mahabharata (K. M. Ganguli, Trans.; 12 vols.). Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Vyāsa. (2010–2015). The Mahabharata (B. Debroy, Trans.; 10 vols.). Penguin Books.

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Published

2026-04-18

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Priyanka Yadav, Prof. Neelima Pandey (Author)

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How to Cite

Pandey, P. N., & Yadav, P. (2026). The Mother-Child Relationship in The Mahabharata: Bonds, Conflicts, and Societal Reflections. Journal of Social Science and Multidisciplinary Enquiry, 1(2), 48-61. https://doi.org/10.65496/jssme.2025.73