Becoming Nonviolent - Sentiment vs. Duty
Nonviolence (ahiṁsā) is generally regarded as a pillar of religious life. However, the Vedic scriptures offer a dynamic understanding of this principle, distinguishing between spiritual compassion and dereliction of duty. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while becoming nonviolent is a requisite virtue for a brāhmaṇa or a saintly person, it is a disqualification for a kṣatriya (administrator) when displayed on the battlefield. This article explores the context in which nonviolence is either a sign of advancement or a symptom of cowardice.
Mistake of Arjuna
The Bhagavad-gītā opens with Arjuna attempting to leave the battlefield. Overwhelmed by affection for his kinsmen, he wanted to become a philanthropic, nonviolent man of the world. While this sentiment appears noble to the mundane moralist, Lord Kṛṣṇa condemned it. For a warrior, to become nonviolent when the principles of religion are under attack is not saintliness; it is the "philosophy of fools."
- He (Arjuna) wanted to become nonviolent in the discharge of his specific duty. For a ksatriya to be in the battlefield and to become nonviolent is the philosophy of fools.
- The administrators should never pretend to become nonviolent and thereby go to hell. When Arjuna wanted to become a nonviolent coward on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, he was severely chastised by Lord Krsna.
- Arjuna wanted to become nonviolent the whole Bhagavad-gita was taught to him, how to become violent, and this rascal said that in the Bhagavad-gita there is nonviolence. It is not false? So a man preaching falsehood, is he a gentleman? Or he is a right man?
Necessity of State Violence
A peaceful society requires the suppression of criminal elements. If the government or police force were to adopt a stance of absolute nonviolence, the state would descend into chaos. Therefore, the Vedic civilization prescribes dharma-yuddha, or religious fighting. When there is an actual need to protect the citizens or uphold justice, the administrator must be capable of violence; otherwise, they are failing in their occupational duty.
- If ksatriya becomes nonviolent, then the whole state will be in chaos. They must learn how to kill any criminal.
- According to Vedic civilization, that is dharma-yuddha, religious fight. When the actual need is there to fight, we must fight. Not that when there is need of fight, one becomes nonviolent.
- For the royal order to become nonviolent, this is not good. The ksatriyas, when they are fighting in the battlefield, the killing is not a sin for them.
True Cultural Advancement
While violence is necessary for the preservation of the state, the internal culture of a human being is meant for higher realization. In the cultivation of knowledge (jñāna), becoming nonviolent is listed as a primary virtue alongside pridelessness and simplicity. This natural nonviolence manifests in the character of a devotee, whose presence is so soothing that even the animals in their vicinity give up their predatory nature.
- According to Bhagavad-gita there are eighteen items in culturing knowledge. By such culture of knowledge one becomes gradually prideless, devoid of vanity, nonviolent, forbearing, simple, devoted to the great spiritual master, and self-controlled.
- In such an atmosphere even the animals of the forest became nonviolent and non-envious like great sages. Consequently, the animals did not attack anyone. Over and above everything was the cooing of the cuckoos.
Conclusion
The application of nonviolence depends entirely on one's position and duty. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, one who takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness becomes the first-class peaceful man, naturally developing all good qualities. However, this peace is not a superficial sentiment; it is based on the instruction of the Lord. For an administrator, real peace sometimes requires the sword, but for a sage, it requires the heart.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Becoming Nonviolent. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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