strategic choices, ethical dilemmas: stories from the mahabharat

The ancient epic, which flourishes in the hearts and minds of many even today, deals with profound normative questions of (and advice on) morality, duty, virtue, law, justice and war. The text also does not shy away from pragmatic and strategic issues of negotiation, alliances, training and education, leadership, and more. Its unflinching look at bleak realities makes the Mahabharat a text uniquely applicable to our current times.

Aruna Narlikar is an author, poet and artist. Her publications include the co-authored Bargaining with a Rising India: Lessons from the Mahabharata (2014), and recent articles for the Speaking Tree column of Times of India and Economic Times. In addition to a doctorate in literature, she has earned a senior diploma in yogic science. She has wide-ranging experience in television and print media. She writes in three languages (Hindi, Marathi and English), and has had her work published in some of the leading Indian newspapers and magazines.

Amitabh Mattoo (D.Phil, Oxon) is professor of international relations at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and honorary professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne. His scholarship and contribution have won him numerous honours of high distinction, including the Padma Shri. He is regarded as one of the top strategic thinkers of India. His policy advice has been sought by the governments of India and Australia. He has been a member of India’s National Security Council’s Advisory Board and the National Knowledge Commission. He had earlier served as the vice chancellor of the University of Jammu, chair of Miranda House and the founding director and CEO of the Australia India Institute.

Amrita Narlikar (D.Phil, Oxon) has served as president of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) for close to a decade. She is professor of international relations at Hamburg University and an honorary fellow of Darwin College at the University of Cambridge. She serves as senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation and at Research and Information System for Developing Countries. Before being appointed to the GIGA presidency, she was ’ reader’ (’ professor’ under the university’s internationally aligned system) in international political economy at the University of Cambridge. Her recent publications include the co-edited centenary special issue of International Affairs, ’ The How Not to Guide for International Relations’ and (single-authored) Poverty Narratives and Power Paradoxes in International Trade Negotiations and Beyond.