Beyond the Debate: Finding Wisdom in the Itihasa

We often hear the question: “Did the Ramayana and Mahabharata actually happen? Did Rama and Krishna really exist, or are they just characters in a story?”

When I encounter these questions, I don’t feel the need to argue. Instead, I smile, because I believe the question misses the point. To understand why, we must look at how we view our own recent history.

1. The Analogy of Memory

Consider our struggle to recall details of events that happened only 70 or 80 years ago. How many of us truly know the intricate details of the Indian freedom struggle or the separation of India and Pakistan? Beyond the broad strokes, that Gandhiji and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose fought for our freedom, our collective memory is often blurry.

If we struggle to verify the day-to-day realities of events from less than a century ago, is it surprising that skepticism exists regarding events from millennia ago? However, just as the result of the freedom struggle (our independence) is real regardless of our knowledge of the details, the impact of our epics remains profound, regardless of historical debates.

2. Shifting the Focus: From “Did it Happen?” to “What Does it Teach?”

There is a growing trend to label these texts as mere mythology or “fake stories” elaborated by ancestors. To the skeptics, I offer a pragmatic shift in perspective: It does not matter whether they are historically “true” in the scientific sense.

Even if you view the Ramayana and Mahabharata simply as literature, their value remains untouched. We read moral stories and self-help books to implement their lessons in our lives. Why should our ancient texts be treated differently?

• Character as Teacher: View Rama not just as a deity, but as the archetype of the ideal human. His life teaches us resilience, honor, and sacrifice.
• The Mirror of Self: Each character in these epics represents a facet of human nature. They help us find ourselves, offering solutions to modern problems through the ancient lenses of Dharma (duty/righteousness) and Karma (action/consequence).

3. The Universal Guide: Bhagavad Gita

For those who do believe in the historical truth of these texts, you are already on a path that requires no external validation. You understand that these are not just stories, but maps to a destination of peace and clarity.

Take Krishna, for instance. He is often viewed as the Supreme, but his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita transcend religious boundaries.

• It is not merely a religious text; it is a Dharma Shastra (a manual for right living).
• It is the only book narrated by the source of wisdom itself, offering psychological and spiritual solutions to human suffering.
• It is universal. You do not need to belong to a specific faith to find value in its chapters.

4. The Conclusion: Peace over Proof

Debating the existence of Rama or Krishna often stems from an ego-driven need to be “right,” which only disrupts our mental stability. It brings no tangible benefit.

• To the Skeptic: Read them as profound storybooks. Adapt the morals, ignore the miracles if you must, and you will still find peace.
• To the Believer: Continue your path with faith. The conviction alone provides a steady anchor in life.

Ultimately, both paths, approaching it as wisdom-literature or as divine history, lead to the same outcome: Peace.

Let us stop wasting energy on “useless” debates about chronology and proof. Instead, let us focus on the essence. If we can learn even one fraction of the integrity of Rama or the wisdom of Krishna, our lives will be better for it.