Just War According to the Bhagavad Gita

Abstract

The article analyzes the concept of a just war as presented in the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata more broadly. It examines why a warrior must fight, what his duty entails, and how the ideas expressed in the Bhagavad Gita relate to contemporary just war theory.

The Bhagavad Gita is part of the Indian epic poem Mahabharata, in which a dialogue unfolds between Arjuna, a prince of the Pandava dynasty, and the god Krishna on the nature of war. The Gita conveys a complex and, at first glance, contradictory view of warfare. Arjuna, as a warrior, is tormented by the moral consequences of an impending battle against his own relatives. Krishna urges him to fulfill his duty as a warrior. He justifies war when it serves a righteous purpose and emphasizes the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to the outcome. This approach highlights acting rather than focusing on the inherent negative consequences of war.

The Bhagavad Gita does not offer a simple answer to the ethics of warfare. Instead, it underscores the necessity of duty and righteous action. The text contains both an interpretation of just war and a call towards an inner, spiritual struggle.