India is a land of cultures and traditions, bestowed with the beauty of enriched history and the etymology of its Hindu scriptures. The Indian book on virtues and the principles of living,” The Bhagavad Gita, portrays the nuances of society in the ancient world. The intricate relationship between Indian ethos and modern society is still significantly influenced by the Vedic way of living. The diversity that we hone and the plethora of beliefs that signify the devotional sentiments of our land are by-products of the foundational grassroots of Indian culture.

Friendship as celebrated today with pomp and show, laughter and mirth, as a joyous association of a worldwide day to exemplify the bond between two friends, was eminently present in the ancient wheels of time. The nuances of friendship have ethereally been depicted in the ancient scripts that showcase the purity and enigma of how true friendship can save you against all evils and be your guiding light in times of angst. In this article, I examine the nuanced sterility of friendship present in Indian history and legends with relevant examples that help us learn more about India and the value of allies in the ancient land.

Let's trace our way backward into time.

India is known for simplicity in its way of living. During the Vedic period, in the 1400 Century BCE, there is said to be the presence of two mythological gods namely Varuna- Sky of the Gods, and Mitra- The god of friendship. The relationship between Lord Varuna and Lord Mitra marks the relationship that humans beheld with the almighty and amongst themselves.

Lord Varuna marked the divinity of the realm and the bond that the mortal realm shared with the beings of immortality. The Vedic Culture marked the rise of civilizations, religion, caste, and kingdoms that gave birth to Indian society. Unlike Lord Varuna, the role of Lord Mitra was important in maintaining harmonic relationships between fellow humans and nurturing a spirit of brotherhood. The Vedic Period was witness to the greatest epics of Indian culture- Mahabharata and Ramayana. These epics are timeless classics that impart wisdom about various walks of life. Owing to their vast terrain of tales and ancient legends, I have picked a few examples of friendship that I believe inspire us to become better at our interpersonal relationships. These are examples of friendships from Ramayana and Mahabharata that remain evergreen,

1) Lord Krishna and Draupadi:

The stereotype of a male and female cannot be friends was shattered by the pure and beautiful bond of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. The way Draupadi would call Lord Krishna ‘Sakha” and the reliance of Draupadi on Lord Krishna is unmatched. She cut a piece of fabric from her couture to nurture the wound of Lord Krishna’s finger, showing us the love and care she held for her friend.

The devastating scene of shaming and insult of Draupadi in the kingdom of Hastinapur that defames the roots of patriarchy and ill-treatment of women is unforgettable. The absolute surrender of Draupadi in the devotion of her friendship with Lord Krishna, as he unwraps the piece of cloth from his hand and it divinely surmounts and enshields Draupadi teaches us devotion and trust in the bond of friendship.

2) Lord Krishna and Arjun:

They were, in fact, cousins. Krishna's aunt Kunti was the mother of Arjun. But their relationship went beyond kinship. They had been close friends. His movements helped the other person understand the other. According to the Mahabharata, Krishna and Arjun are the manifestations of Narayana (God) and Nara (Human), who together have the power to vanquish evil.

The Bhagavad Geeta (The Song of the God) recital by Krishna to Arjun is the most noteworthy event in the tale of their friendship. Despite being a formidable warrior, Arjun felt sympathy upon seeing his family. He didn't want the victory won at the cost of millions of lives. Arjun wished to get off the field of battle. Arjun was inspired by Krishna's remark that it would have been conceivable if the battle hadn't happened.

3) Krishna and Sudama:

Krishna and Sudama were childhood buddies. Sudama once ate the makkhan{butter} on his own because he was the tall friend who was responsible for stealing it from the pot and would end up getting a less share. Subsequently, he became poorer and ended up with thin clothes and no morsel to eat. Sudama went to Krishna’s kingdom Dwarka where he was not allowed by the palace guards, but Krishna recognised his childhood amigo and invited him inside. On learning about his condition, Lord Krishna helped his friend build a house for himself and with his blessing, Sudama became rich and lived a happy life. Their friendship teaches us the virtue of unconditional love in the face of any relationship.

4) Karn and Duryodhan:

Despite being a Kshyatria by birth (Surya and Kunti were his parents), Karna was known as a Sut-putra (child of a Shudra) because he was brought up by a charioteer and his wife. When this warrior wanted to compete in a ceremony with Arjun, the Pandavas humiliated him. Duryodhan, who has been portrayed as evil for the most part, stands up to his brothers. Later He is unable to force Karna to compete, but later, as a sign of friendship, he gives Karna the throne in his empire's Anga Province. Even though it may be argued that Duryodhan wanted to use Karna to further his nefarious plot against the Pandavas, Karna always treated the relationship as a genuine friendship. He assisted Duryodhan in whatever he did, even going so far as to repeatedly save his only friend's life. According to the Mahabharata, Karna only erred by endorsing Draupadi's Chir Haran. When Karn was instructed to switch sides, Karna retorted that he could never abandon Duryodhan because he had only one genuine friend.

5) Ram and Sugreev:

The Monkey King helped Lord Ram in the quest to find Lordess Sita. After the abduction of Lordess Sita by demon King Ravana. He had no choice but to look for his wife Sita in the wilderness when Lankapati Ravana abducted her. He also encountered Vanar Raj Sugriva during this search. No one would have likely predicted that Shri Ram would become friends with a monkey since he is half human and half monkey. Friends play a crucial role and are constantly there for one another, whether it's to chat with them or defend them in a dangerous situation. In this instance, Shri Ram was the one who had made friends with the monkey. And as a result of their odd friendship, he first protected Sugriva from Bali, who had been plotting Sugriva's murder. Sugriva afterward proved his allegiance by standing shoulder to shoulder with Shri Ram to bring Goddess Sita back.

6) Sita and Trijata:

Lordess Sita, the personified deity of purity and ingenuity, when held captive by Ravana in the Ashok Vatika of Lanka, had only one person who she could confide and share her sorrows with. Trijata, one of the helpers of the Lankan king, was forged to be the confidante and aid of Goddess Sita. She saved her from giving up on her life and was an avid supporter of Lord Ram in his battle against Ravana.

7) Lakshman and Hanuman:

There was one catalyst that led to the growth of their friendship, and that was their devotion and loyalty toward Lord Ram. In the process of protecting Lord Ram, their bond strengthened in the facet of time. One of the instances was Hanuman carrying Lakshman in his arm while combating Meghnath signifies their strong relationship.

8) Ram Ji and Hanuman:

The Kishkindan Monkey Prince who held his fierce loyalties toward Lord Ram are the testimony of his devotion and friendship towards Vishnu. The descendant of Wind flies to Lanka to meet Sita maa and get her back because of the agony Lord Ram is in and giving her his ring. Another instance of him carrying the mountain that consisted of Sanjeevani to cure Lord Rama's Brother Lakshman is one of the many nuances where Lord Hanuman proved his devotion and love for Lord Ram.

9) Sita and Jatayu:

The Naga that sacrificed his life to save Lordess Sita while her abduction by Ravana marks the selfless dedication and protective nature of friendship between Lordess Sita and Jatayu.

10) Hanuman and Sugreev: 

The strong purpose of their Dharma was to save Lordess Sita and the world from the atrocities of Ravana and united them into one family. In their quest for righteousness, their unified spirit led to the friendship between Hanuman and King Sugreev.

11) Krishna and Radha:

Numerous songs have been written about them, frequently reflecting their romantic relationship. But their relationship was more than just passionate. Radha was a clever woman, whereas Krishna was a brilliant boy. She supported maintaining customs as they were. She was the one to correct Krishna when he made blunders. For instance, Radha was furious when Krishna killed a bull. She advised him to take a dip in one of the world's major rivers to atone for his misdeeds. Radha Kunda and Shyam Kunda are two ponds that are thought to have been filled with water by Krishna from the Yamuna, Ganga, Sindhu, and Saraswati rivers. In that way, although stories do not often mention Radha and Krishna's friendship, they had a strong bond.

12) Uurvi and Arjun:

The underrated friendship between a less-known princess and the Pandav Prince teaches us the kindred spirit of healthy competitiveness and being present for each other. Uurvi was the princess of a renowned kingdom who renounced her royal title to marry Karna- the son of a shudra. She was friends with the Pandyan Prince Arjuna, they were childhood friends and it is said that the Prince was in love with Uurvi. Their bond signifies the presence of boundaries in a friendship.

Conclusion

The influence of Indian culture in its impact from the footprints of ancient history is undeniable. As we celebrate friendship day, I hope we remember the immortal learnings of friendship that existed in our enriched history. The enclasped hold of Indian society in the Indian roots of wisdom from the Vedas are intertwined with their beliefs. Though the ancient culture holds contrasting views in terms of how modern society looks, the foundational principle of true friendship will remain unaltered for generations to come.

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