There is a raging debate on social media these days that asks the following question – ‘Krishna says in the Gita that even hurting someone’s heart is violence, but how come an avatar who is a promoter of love incites Arjun to fight? Does Gita incite violence?’

The Mahabharat is actually a struggle for righteousness to survive so humanity can benefit in the long run, so imperfection does not thrive. The Kauravas and their clan did grave wrongs — they tried to kill the Pandavas on several occasions, trapped them an the house made of lac and then burnt it down; tried to insult them and disrobe Draupadi, their wife; cheated the Pandavas out of their kingdom through a game of dice and did not give them their rightful share of the kingdom. So this kind of adharm had to end one day, perfection had to surface so that the humanity could progress further. Hence, the war in this sense — to sieve out imperfection was important.

That is why Shiva’s Tandav happens, that is why Vishnu in the form of Mohini comes and destroys the raksha called Bhasmasur. It is all meant to push Nature towards evolution. Krishna did not want war to increase his domain; Ram did not fight Ravan to rule Lanka, but both fought wars to re-establish righteousness, to re-establish Nature’s law, re-establish dharm – right conduct at right time according to the laws of Nature.

Animals kill for food; they only kill as much as is necessary for their survival, we don’t call it violence, it is a law of Nature, they cannot survive unless they kill to eat; it is their karm.

Also when a mother beats her child or punishes her child for lying to ensure that he does not do it again, it cannot be called violence; it is her compassion and love for the child similarly, when an avatar brings an end to something — kills or calls out for war, it is out of compassion for the human race.  They don’t allow imperfection to go ahead, instead to end it then and there for the welfare of all.

Krishna’s entire life was an example of dharm. And the Bhagwadgita is a mahamantra for every human who wants to evolve and connect to his true self and purpose on Earth. It does not eulogise any human or person as such. It is scientific, logical and merges truth, Ved with science, vigyan — outcome of deep dhyan. No where does Krishna state — ‘slay others because they do not believe in what ‘I’ state!’ And this is the greatness of Sanatan Dharm. It only works on natural principles, that are eternal and ever-evolving, not stagnant and based on the views of One individual. Infact, Krishna only agreed for the war only after all channels of reconciliation were closed. It was a last resort, and then too he implored Arjun, his sakha — dearest friend, to stand up against the injustice meted out to him and and his brothers. The war for the Pandavas was more for survival and preserving their self-respect because the Kauravas had no qualms in killing them.

Also, the most relevant reason in today’s context is that whenever humanity denigrates, then Nature creates such circumstances that certain righteous individuals become mediums to re-establish her laws on Earth…much like the COVID19 virus has forced us to question the current way of life. Wars too are brought upon to annihilate imperfection wherever it is. This is the cycle of time, only after sieving can a new era begin.