Open Access
American Research Journal of History and Culture
ISSN (Online): 2379-2914
DOI: 10.46568/arjhc
Why Should Arjuna Kill? The Bhagavad Gitā’s Justification of Selective Violence.*
Abstract
Ahiṃsā Parmo Dharma’ (Non-violence is the greatest duty), resounds through the Indian epic
Mahābhārata number of times and yet it is full of wars. This dichotomy seems to be a reflection of the conflicting
tendencies in human life or does the epic gives a message that violence is inevitable?
The epic does not project any stereotypical ideal way of life, but looks at it from different perspectives. It seems
to be giving a message that not having a war is probably the best situation, but sometimes one‘s sincere desire of
avoiding a war may encourage evil. If good people withdraw from life, the space will be left open for evil to fill
the void.
Probably a part of human psyche is inclined towards renunciation, which is personified in Arjuna‘s behavior just
before the war when he refuses to fight. Kṛṣṇa on the other hand represents an opinion, according to which,
leading an active life of a householder without attachment to the world around you is better. He does not condemn
the renunciation altogether but says that asceticism should not be an impulsive decision and it is not for
everybody.
This paper juxtapositions two conflicting attitudes towards life; Arjuna‘s self annihilating non-violence vis-à-vis
Kṛṣṇa‘s advocacy of self preservation which may at a time involve selective violence. Blind adherence to non
violence, without evaluating the consequences may lead to the adverse effect. If one should resist the oppressor or
surrender to him also depends upon the one‘s situation in life. A hermit may refuse to fight and accept the
violence of the oppressor as his destiny. But if same is done by a soldier and police who are duty bound to protect
the state and citizens, anarchy will be let loose, seriously harming the civilization. Arjuna‘s position was similar.
