Dharma is a word with a diverse set of meanings. To some extent it can be called an ever-changing duty based on the surrounding environment and people. “It is a set of principles that must be observed and followed, but it depends on the individual and the situation which principle must be followed and to what extent. Mahabharata is a perfect example of how Dharma can be counterintuitive and paradoxical in nature. moral dilemma or unethical behavior is again very subjective Deciding what is right and wrong in a particular situation is a very difficult task and is the reason for the conflict between dharma and ethical behavior. Keeping this in mind, I will look at some characters of the Mahabharata in the context of dharma and ethical behavior. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayVyasa presents Yudhisthira as the epitome of selflessness and the embodiment of Dharma, but Yudhisthira who did not want to stray from the truth, had to lie to unnerve Dronacharya. He agreed to deceive Dronacharya by lying to him about the death of an elephant Asvatthama. If you look at it from a moral point of view, Yudhisthira distorted morality as he used his self-image of being an honest man to upset Dronacharya and win the battle. But if you see it in dharmic sense, then he just executed a plan devised by Lord Krishna to follow his duty. Another character I would like to examine is Bhishma Pitahma. Bhishma renounced the throne and agreed to live the life of a Bhramachari, so that Satyavati could marry Santanu. Although he did this because of his immense love for his father, he swallowed moral judgments and did not follow the path of Dharma which says that one must also achieve the basic ideals of life and follow duties at different stages of one's life. This vote prevented him from governing Hastinapur, jeopardizing his future and endangering many people. Kidnapping Amba, Ambika and Ambalika and sitting quietly in the court of Dhritarashtra at the time of Draupadi's Cheer Haran also shows unethical behavior but she was helpless due to the constraints of Dharma. Drauapdi's question whether Yudhisthira had the right to pawn her after losing himself in the game is not answered by Bhishma due to the subtlety of dharma. Finally I would like to mention Karna. Karna is known for his loyalty towards his adoptive parents and Duryodhana and for his generosity. Despite Krishna and Kunti's appeal to him to change sides and return to his biological brothers in the Battle of Kurukshetra, Karna refuses and remains true to his own conscience. He also sacrifices his armor when Indra asks him to despite knowing that without it he is vulnerable. But we cannot say that Karna always acted in accordance with dharma as he was one of the main culprits behind Draupadi's disrobing and posing as a slut. He is also seen at his worst as he laughs obnoxiously and claps during Draupadi's Cheer Haran. By positioning these characters, Vyasa tries to tell us that life is not a direct path to Dharma. In a way Vyasa was introducing us to the moral dilemmas that we all face as human beings in real life situations. “Do unto others as you would be treated” is the guiding principle throughout the book. Therefore there is no clear message regarding dharma and moral behavior as both are subjective and situation-oriented.