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Hinduism: Crime and Punishment

Hindu attitudes to the aims of punishment

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

The four aims Hindus debate, why reform is so often put first, Bhagavad Gita 4.35 to 4.37 on the worst sinner and the power of knowledge, Gandhi on wrongdoers, and balancing the aims.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How do Hindus view the aims of punishment, especially protection and retribution?

Key term

How do Hindus use Bhagavad Gita 4.35–37 to support reforming offenders?

Key term

Name the four aims of punishment that Hindus debate.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name the four aims of punishment that Hindus debate.

    Model answer

    The four aims are protection, retribution, deterrence and reformation.

  2. 2

    How do Hindus view protection as an aim of punishment?

    Model answer

    Most Hindus accept that society must be protected from dangerous offenders. Protection of the people is a core duty of rajadharma.

  3. 3

    How do Hindu attitudes to retribution differ?

    Model answer

    Some Hindus accept retribution because the Manusmriti links punishment to what a crime deserves. Others say karma already brings retribution, so humans need not seek revenge.

  4. 4

    How do Hindus view deterrence as an aim of punishment?

    Model answer

    Many Hindus support deterrence, since the Manusmriti says fear of punishment keeps people from wrongdoing. Others doubt that fear changes a person's heart.

  5. 5

    Why do many Hindus see reformation as the most important aim of punishment?

    Model answer

    Every offender has an atman that can be purified. Reformation helps the offender change and escape a cycle of bad karma.

  6. 6

    What does Bhagavad Gita 4.36 teach about even the worst sinner?

    Model answer

    Krishna says that even the most sinful person can cross over all sin on the raft of knowledge.

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