An example of current day relevance of the Mahabharata is when Eklavya gets Dronacharya’s knowledge without consent or when Karna gets Parshuram’s knowledge by deception. The owners of that knowledge prevent both from using it. Whilst the punishments described be whatever they be, it enshrines the principles of Intellectual Rights in these events. The counterfeiter Eklavya and the thief Karna are both punished or cursed in much the same way we imprison or fine violators today.
Another example from my book is Honesty in Human Relationships:
Often in our desire to gain acceptance in a relationship, we put on a pretence. We act as the one that the other would want us to be. Thus, we embark on a relationship putting up an act that may often mask our true selves. Karna enters Parashuram’s Gurukul pretending to be a Brahmin.He could carry on with this for a while but could not change his true character. Whilst this relationship with his guru lasted, it grew deep, his guru granted him access to all his knowledge. A deep bond and trust developed between him and his guru just as we would like to achieve in the relationship we desire. However, if like Karna we are faking our act in our relationship, we cannot be our true selves. When this fake act is discovered or our true character is unmasked, we will bring onto ourselves unknown misery. Such behavior is disappointing and can lead to a vicious response that can often lead to the end of the relationship. Karna pleaded, cried and tried to justify his behavior. A disappointed and violated guru ended the relationship with a curse that would play out as a Death Sentence.
This might bring back memories of some experiences in our own life. We may have made false promises, our behavior would have been discovered and the relationships would have ended. Even worse, we may have been the victims. The outcome of Karna’s behavior once again brings out the relevance of the Epic to our lives.
Drawing the relevance of such events to our current lives will make the event come alive, real and attract people to the Epic. It is in this context that a study of the Mahabharata and its application to our contemporary lives becomes relevant.