Hinduism: Attitudes to War

This section explains Hinduism Attitudes to War, focusing on: Reasons for War and conflict in Hindu Teachings, The concept of Just War, Hinduisms views on Terrorism, Hinduism Teachings on Justice and Holy war.

War and Its Causes

War is an organised and violent conflict, often between states or groups, which results in death, destruction, and political upheaval. Hindu teachings present several key reasons why wars may occur, with some justifications found in the sacred texts and historical accounts. These reasons are often interconnected and involve complex moral dilemmas.

Greed and Desire

Hindu teachings caution against greed and its destructive consequences. Greed is seen as an insatiable and harmful desire, which can lead to conflict. The Mahabharata, one of Hinduism's most significant epics, reflects this view, where Yudhishthira, a key figure, states:

"Anger is an enemy that is difficult to conquer, whereas greed is an endless sickness." (Yudhishthira in Mahabharata 3.313.92).

In the context of war, greed for land, resources, or power often fuels conflict. However, Hindu philosophy teaches that such motivations are morally wrong and lead to suffering.

Self-Defence

Hindus recognise that self-defence can be a legitimate reason for engaging in war. If a nation or individual is under threat, it may be justified to take up arms in order to protect oneself or others. This belief does not contradict the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence), as Ahimsa is not absolute when it comes to protecting oneself or others from harm.

The Rig Veda reflects this view with the following verse:

"May your weapons be strong to drive away the attackers, may your arms be powerful enough to check the foes, let your army be glorious, not the evildoer." (Rig Veda 1-39:2).

This suggests that violence in self-defence is acceptable, provided that it is proportional and aimed at stopping evil rather than causing unnecessary destruction.

Retaliation and Revenge

While Ahimsa promotes non-violence, retaliation and revenge are discouraged in Hinduism, as they perpetuate cycles of violence and hatred. The Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism's most revered texts, advises against seeking revenge. Instead, it promotes forgiveness and justice, emphasising that the pursuit of peace is more important than vengeance.

Hindu Attitudes to Conflict

Many Hindus believe that non-violent methods of resolving conflict should always be the preferred option. However, there are occasions when conflict may be unavoidable, particularly when upholding justice or religious values. Hinduism acknowledges the role of divine figures, such as gods and avatars, who have participated in wars to protect righteousness and defeat evil forces.

For instance, the god Vishnu, in his form as the boar Varaha, fought battles to restore balance to the world. Similarly, in the great battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas and Kauravas fought over the throne of Hastinapura, which is central to the Bhagavad Gita.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, advises the warrior Arjuna to fight in the war, explaining that it is his duty as a warrior (Kshatriya) to engage in the conflict. This reflects the notion that, at times, war can be necessary to uphold justice and defeat evil.

The Concept of Just War

Hindu teachings on war include a concept similar to the "Just War Theory," which posits that war can only be justified under certain conditions. The Laws of Manu and the Rig Veda offer guidelines to help determine whether a war is just. The Laws of Manu provide specific instructions for Kshatriyas (warriors) on how to conduct warfare ethically, including the following principles:

1. War should be a last resort: Negotiation and peaceful resolutions should always be sought first.
2. Proportionality of force: The use of violence must be limited to what is necessary to achieve the intended outcome, without excessive harm to innocents.
3. Targeting soldiers only: The use of force should be directed solely at combatants, not civilians, women, or children. The laws prohibit attacks on people who are vulnerable, such as those who have surrendered or are unable to defend themselves.

One verse from the Laws of Manu states:

"When he fights with his foes in battle, let him not strike with weapons concealed (in wood), nor with (such as are) barbed, poisoned, or the points of which are blazing with fire." (Laws of Manu 7:90).

This emphasises that honour and fairness must be upheld during warfare, and that the rules of engagement should be adhered to by all warriors.

Terrorism in Hinduism

Hinduism firmly opposes terrorism, as it involves violence and harm to innocent people, which contradicts the principle of Ahimsa. Terrorism is defined in the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000 as the use of violence or threats to influence government policy or intimidate the public for political, religious, or ideological purposes. Acts of terrorism often involve targeting civilians, which Hinduism considers morally wrong.

Hinduism teaches that violence against others is wrong because it disregards the fundamental belief that Brahman (the divine essence) resides in all living beings. Therefore, causing harm to others is seen as disrespecting the divine within them.

For example, the 9/11 attacks in the US, the 2011 attacks in Norway, and the 2017 bombing in Somalia were all instances where innocent lives were taken in the name of political or religious causes. Hindus believe such actions contribute to the perpetuation of violence and suffering, and must be condemned.

Justice and the Role of Hindus in War

Hinduism teaches that it is the duty of all people to seek justice, both in times of peace and during conflict. Justice is seen as essential in maintaining order and fairness in society. The belief in the interconnectedness of all beings means that Hindus are encouraged to work for the welfare of others and to create an environment of peace and justice.

The Ishavasyopanishad expresses this:

"He who sees all beings in the Self itself, and the Self in all beings, feels no hatred by virtue of that wisdom." (Ishavasyopanishad 1:6).

This suggests that by recognising the divine within every individual, one can foster compassion, empathy, and a sense of justice that transcends conflict.

Holy War in Hinduism

A holy war is one that is fought with religious justification, often endorsed by a religious authority. Although Hinduism promotes non-violence, there are circumstances where war is authorised to uphold righteousness or dharma (duty). In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Arjuna to engage in battle to uphold justice and righteousness, despite the personal cost of fighting against family members and loved ones.

Krishna reassures Arjuna that the soul is eternal and cannot be destroyed, even if the body is killed in battle. He states:

"Atman is not killed when the body is killed… certain is death for the born and certain is birth for the dead, so you need not grieve." (Bhagavad Gita 2).

Arjuna, being born into the warrior class (Kshatriya), has a duty to fight, and his hesitation is seen as dishonourable. This reflects the belief that duty to one’s role in society may, at times, require participation in war to maintain justice and order.

Conclusion

Hinduism holds complex views on war. While non-violence is the ultimate ideal, there are justifiable reasons for war, including self-defence, the defence of justice, and the protection of dharma. Hindu teachings call for fairness in warfare, with a focus on proportionality, honour, and respect for life. At the same time, the religion strongly opposes terrorism and violence that causes harm to innocents. Ultimately, Hinduism encourages its followers to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts, but acknowledges that there are times when war may be necessary to uphold righteousness.