Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Kinship, Caste and Class

Question:

Identify the source of the following excerpt: "There is no good in a war, no law (dharma) and profit (artha), let alone happiness; nor is there (necessarily) victory in the end - don't set your mind on war ...".

Options:

Ramayana

Mahabharata

Arthashastra

Harshacharita

Correct Answer:

Mahabharata

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → Mahabharata

" The Mahabharata describes how, when war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas became almost inevitable, Gandhari made one last appeal to her eldest son Duryodhana: By making peace you honour your father and me, as well as your well-wishers … it is the wise man in control of his senses who guards his kingdom. Greed and anger drag a man away from his profits; by defeating these two enemies a king conquers the earth … You will happily enjoy the earth, my son, along with the wise and heroic Pandavas … There is no good in a war, no law (dharma) and profit (artha), let alone happiness; nor is there (necessarily) victory in the end – don’t set your mind on war …"