Deception in the Name of Dharma? 7 Characters Who Broke the Rules of Righteousness
Nidhi | Mar 03, 2025, 22:03 IST
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Indian mythology is filled with stories where dharma (righteousness) isn’t always straightforward. From Krishna’s strategic deception to Bhishma’s rigid vows, some of the most revered figures in the Ramayana and Mahabharata operated in moral gray zones. This article explores seven mythological characters who challenged conventional ideas of dharma—where righteousness and deception blurred, forcing us to rethink morality, justice, and cosmic balance.
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः
"Dharma protects those who uphold it." — Manusmriti 8.15
The Paradox of Dharma: When Righteousness and Deception Collide
Dharma is often seen as the unwavering path of truth, yet Indian mythology reveals its deeper layers—sometimes, righteousness is not black and white. The Mahabharata and Ramayana teach us that duty, morality, and deception can coexist in ways that defy conventional wisdom. Some characters, often misunderstood, act in ways that challenge our beliefs yet hold profound wisdom beneath the surface.
Let’s explore seven mythological figures—including some of the most revered deities—who force us to rethink our understanding of dharma and deception.
Indra, the king of gods, is often celebrated for his victories over demons, but his actions are not always noble. He has deceived sages, seduced women, and even disrupted the penance of rishis out of insecurity.
One of his most controversial actions was disguising himself as Rishi Gautama to deceive his wife, Ahalya. While his power was unquestionable, his morality often seemed fluid. His story raises a profound question: Can power justify deception? If even the king of gods resorts to trickery, where do we draw the line?
Krishna, the embodiment of dharma, is also known for his use of deception to uphold righteousness. He broke his own vow of not picking up weapons in the Kurukshetra war, guided Arjuna to kill Karna while he was unarmed, and orchestrated the killing of Dronacharya through a half-truth.
Yet, the Gita teaches that intention matters more than action. Krishna’s deception was never for personal gain but to restore balance in the universe. His life forces us to ask: Is deception justified if it serves a higher purpose?
Rama is revered as Maryada Purushottam—the ideal man. Yet, his decision to abandon Sita based on societal doubt is one of the most debated events in the Ramayana.
He upheld his duty as a king but at the cost of his personal dharma as a husband. Was his choice an ultimate sacrifice for dharma, or was it an injustice disguised as righteousness? His story makes us confront an eternal question: Should personal happiness be sacrificed for the greater good?
Karna’s loyalty to Duryodhana made him one of the most complex characters in the Mahabharata. Despite knowing the righteousness of the Pandavas’ cause, he stood by his friend, bound by gratitude and duty.
His life was shaped by deception—from his unknown birth to the curses he bore. Yet, he remained steadfast in his principles. Karna’s dilemma forces us to ponder: Is personal loyalty greater than universal righteousness? Can a man deceived by fate still be truly free?
Vibhishana, Ravana’s brother, abandoned Lanka and joined Lord Rama. Many view him as a traitor, but was his act of betrayal actually an act of dharma?
The Ramayana tells us that Vibhishana repeatedly warned Ravana to return Sita and avoid destruction. When Ravana refused, Vibhishana sought refuge with Rama, believing that supporting adharma (unrighteousness) was a greater sin than betraying his bloodline.
His choice challenges us: When loyalty conflicts with righteousness, where should our allegiance lie?
Bhishma’s life was dictated by a vow—to remain celibate and loyal to the throne of Hastinapura. He was a man of immense wisdom, yet he chose silence in the face of Draupadi’s humiliation, bound by his oath to protect the ruling king, even if the king was unjust.
His adherence to his vow led to destruction. The Gita, spoken on the battlefield where Bhishma lay wounded, teaches that dharma is dynamic—it must evolve with time. Bhishma’s story is a reminder that rigid adherence to duty, without context, can lead to downfall.
Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, committed one of the most condemned acts in the Mahabharata—killing the unborn child of Abhimanyu. In return, he was cursed by Krishna to roam the earth, suffering eternal pain.
Yet, his actions were born from anguish—his father was deceitfully killed in war, leading him to seek vengeance. His story questions the nature of justice. Was his punishment too severe, or was it the necessary balance for his crime?
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that dharma is not a fixed rulebook—it is a path that changes with circumstances. Krishna himself guided Arjuna through this dilemma, teaching that sometimes, what seems like deception is, in fact, a higher calling.
These characters challenge our perception of morality. Were they villains, or were they simply playing their roles in the grand cosmic order?
The next time you judge a mythological figure as right or wrong, ask yourself: What would you do in their place?
"Dharma protects those who uphold it." — Manusmriti 8.15
The Paradox of Dharma: When Righteousness and Deception Collide
Dharma is often seen as the unwavering path of truth, yet Indian mythology reveals its deeper layers—sometimes, righteousness is not black and white. The Mahabharata and Ramayana teach us that duty, morality, and deception can coexist in ways that defy conventional wisdom. Some characters, often misunderstood, act in ways that challenge our beliefs yet hold profound wisdom beneath the surface.
Let’s explore seven mythological figures—including some of the most revered deities—who force us to rethink our understanding of dharma and deception.
1. Indra: The King of Devas or the Master of Trickery?
One of his most controversial actions was disguising himself as Rishi Gautama to deceive his wife, Ahalya. While his power was unquestionable, his morality often seemed fluid. His story raises a profound question: Can power justify deception? If even the king of gods resorts to trickery, where do we draw the line?
2. Krishna: The Divine Strategist Who Redefined Morality
Krishna-Arjuna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Yet, the Gita teaches that intention matters more than action. Krishna’s deception was never for personal gain but to restore balance in the universe. His life forces us to ask: Is deception justified if it serves a higher purpose?
3. Rama: The Ideal King Who Abandoned His Wife
Sita-Rama
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
He upheld his duty as a king but at the cost of his personal dharma as a husband. Was his choice an ultimate sacrifice for dharma, or was it an injustice disguised as righteousness? His story makes us confront an eternal question: Should personal happiness be sacrificed for the greater good?
4. Karna: The Tragic Hero Bound by Oaths
Karna
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
His life was shaped by deception—from his unknown birth to the curses he bore. Yet, he remained steadfast in his principles. Karna’s dilemma forces us to ponder: Is personal loyalty greater than universal righteousness? Can a man deceived by fate still be truly free?
5. Vibhishana: The Betrayer or the True Devotee?
The Ramayana tells us that Vibhishana repeatedly warned Ravana to return Sita and avoid destruction. When Ravana refused, Vibhishana sought refuge with Rama, believing that supporting adharma (unrighteousness) was a greater sin than betraying his bloodline.
His choice challenges us: When loyalty conflicts with righteousness, where should our allegiance lie?
6. Bhishma: The Oath-Bound Warrior Who Chose Silence
Bhishma
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
His adherence to his vow led to destruction. The Gita, spoken on the battlefield where Bhishma lay wounded, teaches that dharma is dynamic—it must evolve with time. Bhishma’s story is a reminder that rigid adherence to duty, without context, can lead to downfall.
7. Ashwatthama: The Warrior Cursed for Eternity
Yet, his actions were born from anguish—his father was deceitfully killed in war, leading him to seek vengeance. His story questions the nature of justice. Was his punishment too severe, or was it the necessary balance for his crime?
Dharma: A Path Beyond Right and Wrong
Spiritual
( Image credit : Pexels )
These characters challenge our perception of morality. Were they villains, or were they simply playing their roles in the grand cosmic order?
The next time you judge a mythological figure as right or wrong, ask yourself: What would you do in their place?