A Global View Of Good Vs Evil In The Bharatayudha War

Abstract

This study aims to describe the Javanese society/culture's perspective on "good" versus "evil," as well as its differences from the perspectives of global society/culture (represented by China and Israel). This study includes textual analysis, interpretation, and comparative literary analysis. The textual analysis method uses structural analysis techniques. The interpretation uses hermeneutics. The comparative literary analysis uses the theory of the new school. Analysis using comparative literary theory found that the Bharatayudha War, fought between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, is interpreted as a war between good and evil. The Pandavas symbolize goodness, while the Kauravas symbolize evil. This story also illustrates the background of the Javanese worldview, which states that in this world, there are two opposing elements: good and evil. For a peaceful world, evil must be eradicated. This Javanese view of good and evil differs from Chinese culture and the Bible. In Chinese culture, this view of good and evil is reflected in the Yin-Yang philosophy. Chinese culture believes that good and evil do not need to negate each other, but rather that harmony can be found in their conflict. In the Bible, the view of good and evil is expressed in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). Evil does not need to be eliminated for the body to be good. Evil only requires repentance so that it does not interfere with the growth of goodness in this world. Thus, Javanese culture views good and evil differently from Chinese culture and the Bible.