Forbidden Love in the Mahabharata (And Its Consequences)

Depiction of Mahabharata characters in a dramatic scene

The Mahabharata, one of India's greatest epics, is not just a tale of war and dharma but also a complex web of human emotions, including forbidden love. These illicit passions often led to catastrophic consequences, shaping the course of the epic's events. Let's explore some of the most significant forbidden love stories in the Mahabharata.

1. Karna and Draupadi: The Unspoken Attraction

Karna and Draupadi looking at each other during the swayamvara

Though never explicitly stated in the text, many interpretations suggest Karna harbored deep feelings for Draupadi. This forbidden love became evident during her swayamvara when Karna was about to string the bow:

"As Karna stepped forward to attempt the challenge, Draupadi's words cut deep: 'I will not marry a suta-putra (charioteer's son).' The humiliation would fuel Karna's lifelong animosity toward the Pandavas."

The consequences were dire: Karna's humiliation led to his alliance with Duryodhana, ultimately contributing to the Kurukshetra war. Draupadi's public insult of Karna would later result in her own humiliation in the Kaurava court.

2. Arjuna and Subhadra: The Abduction That Wasn't

Arjuna abducting Subhadra according to Krishna's advice

Arjuna's love for Subhadra, Krishna's sister, was technically forbidden as he was in the 12th year of his exile. To circumvent this, Krishna suggested the ancient practice of 'gandharva vivaha' (love marriage):

While this love story had a relatively happy ending, it further strained relations between the Pandavas and Kauravas, as Duryodhana saw this as yet another slight against him.

3. Amba, Bhishma and the Curse of Unrequited Love

Amba meditating to seek revenge against Bhishma

The tragic tale of Amba represents one of the most devastating consequences of forbidden love in the epic:

  1. Bhishma abducted Amba and her sisters for his brother's marriage
  2. Amba was in love with King Salva, who rejected her after the abduction
  3. When she sought Bhishma's hand in marriage, he refused due to his vow of celibacy
  4. Amba's unrequited love turned to vengeance, leading to her rebirth as Shikhandi

This chain of events would prove fatal for Bhishma, as Shikhandi became instrumental in his downfall during the great war.

4. The Secret Passion of Uttara and Abhimanyu

Young Uttara and Abhimanyu meeting in secret

While their marriage was ultimately sanctioned, the early relationship between Abhimanyu and Uttara (daughter of King Virata) was fraught with tension:

Their love produced Parikshit, who would continue the Kuru lineage, showing how even forbidden love could have positive outcomes in the grand scheme.

Lessons from Forbidden Love in the Mahabharata

The Mahabharata presents forbidden love not as mere romantic subplots but as powerful catalysts that shaped the epic's trajectory. These relationships highlight:

In true epic fashion, these forbidden loves remind us that in the Mahabharata, personal emotions were never just personal—they echoed through generations and changed the course of history.