ANDHA YUG | SUMMARY OF MODULE – 6

Andha Yug – Module 6

NIOS Class 12 English Summary | Characters, Themes, Symbolism & Moral Reflections

📘 Introduction

“Andha Yug” (The Age of Blindness), written by Dharamvir Bharati, is a powerful modern verse play included in Module 6 of the NIOS Class 12 English syllabus. Set during the final hours of the Mahabharata war, the play goes beyond physical destruction to explore the moral, emotional, and spiritual collapse that follows violence. With rich symbolism and deep introspection, this lesson forces readers to reflect on the consequences of hatred, blind loyalty, and ethical failure.

📖 Detailed Summary

Unlike traditional war epics, Andha Yug doesn’t focus on battles or victories. Instead, it examines what remains after the war is won and lost—a world of grief, guilt, moral decay, and broken ideals. Set on the last day of the Mahabharata war, the story unfolds among the ruins of Kurukshetra, portraying the psychological and spiritual wreckage of war.

The play centers around Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, who is blinded by rage and vengeance after his father's death. Fueled by hate, he releases the Brahmastra, a destructive divine weapon, intending to wipe out the future of the Pandavas—even though the war has already ended. His act symbolizes how revenge continues to destroy even after peace is possible.

Other characters like Vidura, Sanjaya, and Yuyutsu serve as moral commentators. Each delivers powerful monologues reflecting on the collapse of values, the helplessness of wise voices, and the tragedy of a society that refuses to listen. Krishna, portrayed not as a savior but as a silent cosmic force, represents Time and divine justice, quietly watching the disintegration of righteousness.

A wandering mendicant, who acts as the narrator, uses rich metaphors like “feathers, wheels, and bandages” to illustrate the spiritual blindness that has overtaken society—not just physical blindness, but the loss of vision, morality, and conscience.

The play ends in darkness, both literal and symbolic. It is a chilling reminder that when truth and ethics are abandoned, even victory becomes meaningless.

🎭 Key Characters & Their Symbolic Roles

  • Ashwatthama – Blind revenge and destructive anger

  • Vidura – Voice of sorrow, wisdom, and introspection

  • Sanjaya – A witness who sees truth but remains powerless

  • Yuyutsu – The solitary figure who still believes in dharma

  • Krishna – Cosmic time, silent and judgmental; beyond action

  • The Mendicant Narrator – Represents the spiritual lens, observing human blindness

💡 Central Themes & Moral Lessons

  • Moral Blindness: The greatest tragedy is the loss of ethical vision

  • Revenge & Consequences: Anger fuels destruction far beyond war

  • The Futility of War: Victory means little in a broken, grieving world

  • Spiritual Collapse: Society fails when righteousness is sacrificed

  • Time as a Witness: Truth cannot be hidden forever—time exposes all

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Andha Yug is set in the ruins of war, focusing on what violence leaves behind

  • Ashwatthama, unable to forgive, commits an act of destruction even after the war

  • Wise characters reflect on how society has lost its moral compass

  • The ending in darkness symbolizes complete ethical and spiritual collapse

  • The play warns: Without truth and dharma, progress is just illusion

✍️ Personal Reflection

Andha Yug feels painfully relevant to our times. It made me question how often we, as individuals or societies, choose blindness—blinded by anger, pride, or ideology. The play doesn’t just retell a mythological tale; it holds a mirror to modern life, asking: Are we repeating the same mistakes in new ways? For me, the greatest lesson was this: real vision is moral vision—and without it, we walk in darkness.

📚 Suitable For:

  • NIOS Class 12 English literature analysis

  • Discussions on post-war trauma and ethics

  • Comparative literature with modern tragedies

  • Moral education, conflict resolution, and peace studies

✅ Related Lessons to Explore:

  • Ecology and Environment – Vedic views on balance and responsibility

  • Bholi – A personal victory over social injustice

  • Mary Kom’s Interview – The power of resilience and purpose

📄 Disclaimer

This summary is created for educational purposes only, based on the official NIOS Class 12 English textbook. It is written in an original format to support comprehension and classroom learning. Students are encouraged to refer to the textbook for the full text and additional context.

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