Gita and Non Violence 7 - Violence or non violence, the choice

Gita also talks about compassion, kindness, non violence as essential traits for an individual on the path of realizing God. But it does not advocate weakness masquerading as non violence. In explaining His Vibhuti or the Supreme Powers to Arjuna,the Lord mentions –


Ahimsa samata tusti tapah danam yashah ayasha bhavanti bhava bhutanam matta eve prithagvidha

Non violence, equanimity, contentment, austerities, charity, prosperity, adversity, all these different aspects of human nature originate from Me only. These are not standalone traits, they are in Me, even though they appear to be different. Non violence is therefore an essential trait which the Lord advocates, but it is not a path for Arjuna, a Kshatriya who is facing a just and righteous war against a bloodthirsty brutal enemy.

A true non violent person like Buddha will be able to disarm thousands of forces of violence. But until one reaches that very advanced spiritual stage, one is advised not to indiscriminately use this potent weapon as it very quickly degenerates into weakness and cowardice, the two retarders in the path of enlightenment. That’s why great souls have never intervened in political affairs. That’s why in Hindu caste system Brahmanas who follow a very high spiritual path of wisdom never participate in war. It is therefore the duty of Kshatriyas, the warrior clan to protect them from enemies. Gita teaches us that as long as one is not a spiritually advanced soul, one should try to perform one’s duty in accordance with one’s own nature and opportunities, but always surrendering the fruits of such actions to God, in order to avoid the law of Karma.

Gita also advocates other such paths to be followed till one has gained sufficient purity of mind for God or Self realization, like the path of devotion and the path of knowledge and contemplation. Each path is suited to people of a particular temperament but the goal is the same for all.

So Gita is not merely advocating war, it is putting up a very strong universal message – that in an ephemeral universe nothing remains, therefore take a broad view point and do not tolerate evil because propensity of evil destroys harmony. Compassion is necessary towards fellow human beings for realization of God and only a realized and enlightened soul can harbor compassion against even enemies and can disarm them through non violent means, because that realized soul sees Self or God in every being. But unless we reach that state or unless we are aspirants in that path (like Brahmanas and Sannyasis) we cannot tolerate evil as that is a greater sin than the evil perpetrated.