Dharma and adharma are essentially about the right and the wrong and often drawing a line between the two is difficult. People often justify their wrong deeds on situational or circumstantial predicaments. But it has to be remembered that right is right and wrong is wrong, circumstances notwithstanding. In the Mahabharata war, the Kauravas led by Duryodhana represented Adharma and Pandavas led by Yudhisthira symbolised Dharma. The epic battle at Kurukshetra is believed to be between Dharma and Adharma and the entire lesson of Gita is about following the path of Dharma which is the basic duty of man. But there is a big question — why did people choose Adharma over DharmaIJ A very interesting conversation between Krishna and Karna during the Mahabharata gives valuable insights to finding the answer to this basic question. When Krishna tries to find out how a person as noble as Karna is taking the side of Duryodhana who symbolizes Adharma, Karna gives a long reply citing reasons for his disenchantment with Dharma. He says that his mother abandoned him the moment he was born and he could only survive by a quirk of fate. Even though he was not responsible for what had transpired, he was stamped illegitimate. Dronacharya refused to teach him because he was not considered a Kshatriya — even though he actually was. By faking his identity, he could persuade Parashuram to teach him but there also, he ultimately got a curse rather than a blessing once it was discovered that he actually was a Kshatriya. A cow was accidentally hit by his arrow and the owner of the cow cursed him for no fault of his. At Draupadi’s Swayamvara he was disgraced. later, only to save her sons’ life did Kunti, his mother, accept him as her son. So, whatever he had got was owing to Duryodhana's kind gesture. How could he possibly be wrong for taking the side of DuryodhanaIJ lord Krishna’s reply to this is worth understanding. He says that he was born in a jail and death was lurking all around him, even before he was born. His brothers and sisters were killed just because they were his siblings. The night he was born he was separated from his parents. He was brought up with poor children and cow herds all around. There were several attempts to kill him even before he could learn to walk. In fact, people would curse him for being the reason for Kans’ wrath on them. He could only receive education when he was 16. He couldn’t marry the girl he loved and had to marry those whom he saved from demons. He had to move his entire community far off to save them from Jarasandh. He was branded a coward for running away from fighting. He was discredited most of times. And he stands to gain nothing from the war. Whether Yudhisthira wins or Duryodhana, Krishna would only remain a bystander. Everyone faces unfairness and challenges in his life — be it Duryodhana or Yudhisthira. Yet to discriminate between right and wrong is one’s wisdom. No matter how bad the circumstances are, your reaction to them is what matters. life’s unfairness is no reason to side with Adharma. One must be nonplussed by circumstances and follow the path of Dharma. You have the freewill to choose between Dharma and Adharma and your own conscience is your guide.

A ‘wrong’ does not give you the right to be wrong.

The writer is a professor of management and public speaker. He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com