Topos of the Indian Epic Hero or the Image of Perfect Sovereign as Shown in the Mahābhārata

The article is an analysis of some chosen fragments of the Indian epic Mahābhārata. They are chosen in order to check whether, on the basis of them, it is possible to establish the topos of an ideal Indian epic hero. The excerpts come mainly from book three of the epic Vanaparvan and from book one, Ādiparvan. The material gathered enables to  ive the positive answer to the question. The male characters are described there in detail. The given features are so typical that they re-apper in most of the cases. First of all, in the text one can find the descriptions of five heroes of the main narrative, the Paṇḍava brothers – Yuddiṣṭhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Additionally, several fragments in which the features of sub-stories’ male characters, such as e.g. Aśvapati or Nala, are discussed. The final result of the analyse brings several observations. The typical epic sovereign should have the virtues of both the spritual and physical nature. Most of the heroes of the chosen fragments are described as the ones who should be full of all kind of virtues, just and generous. They cannot be liars. They should fulfill the rights of dharma as far as the obligations of kings are concerned. They should look after their subjects, their wives and families. As far as their bodies are concerned they hàve to be handsome, bright and good to look at. Their faces are compared to the moon or the  un. Their eyes are described as wide and often compared to the lotus petals. Their noses are aquiline. They should be strong and delicate at the same time. Their images are sometimes built with the usage of comparisons to different members of the Vedic pantheon. The most popular comparisons are to Indra and Agni. However, also Kama, Aditya and some others do appear not excluding the demi-gods such as Gandharvas or Yakshas.

The article is an analysis of some chosen fragments of the Indian epic Mahābhārata. They are chosen in order to check whether, on the basis of them, it is possible to establish the topos of an ideal Indian epic hero. The excerpts come mainly from book three of the epic Vanaparvan and from book one, Ādiparvan. The material gathered enables to  ive the positive answer to the question. The male characters are described there in detail. The given features are so typical that they re-apper in most of the cases. First of all, in the text one can find the descriptions of five heroes of the main narrative, the Paṇḍava brothers – Yuddiṣṭhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Additionally, several fragments in which the features of sub-stories’ male characters, such as e.g. Aśvapati or Nala, are discussed. The final result of the analyse brings several observations. The typical epic sovereign should have the virtues of both the spritual and physical nature. Most of the heroes of the chosen fragments are described as the ones who should be full of all kind of virtues, just and generous. They cannot be liars. They should fulfill the rights of dharma as far as the obligations of kings are concerned. They should look after their subjects, their wives and families. As far as their bodies are concerned they hàve to be handsome, bright and good to look at. Their faces are compared to the moon or the  un. Their eyes are described as wide and often compared to the lotus petals. Their noses are aquiline. They should be strong and delicate at the same time. Their images are sometimes built with the usage of comparisons to different members of the Vedic pantheon. The most popular comparisons are to Indra and Agni. However, also Kama, Aditya and some others do appear not excluding the demi-gods such as Gandharvas or Yakshas.