Bidnur Jahnavi

Abhivādana as Strategic Politeness in the Mahābhārata

Each culture and language has unique ways of expressing politeness toward elders and others. In the Sanskritic world, the Smṛtis describe social hierarchies and prescribe appropriate forms of respect and greeting. The Mahābhārata reflects some of these conventions and situates them within the context of the epic narrat...