How does Krishna use the eternal atman to justify Arjuna fighting in Bhagavad Gita II 22–25?

Krishna teaches that the atman cannot be slain and simply takes a new body. Arjuna need not grieve over the deaths of a righteous war.

What does Bhagavad Gita II 37–38 tell Arjuna about fighting?

If Arjuna dies in battle he gains heaven, and if he wins he enjoys the earth. Krishna tells him to fight treating victory and defeat alike, and so incur no sin.

How does Bhagavad Gita II 47–48 shape the way a Hindu soldier should fight?

The soldier should do his duty without attachment to the results. A soldier who fights with equanimity, free from hatred or greed, avoids bad karma.

Why do many Hindus read the battle in the Bhagavad Gita as an allegory?

Gandhi and others read the battle as the inner war between good and evil within each person. Read this way, the Gita does not justify real war.

OCR GCSE Religious Studies J625

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Hinduism: Religion, Peace and Conflict

Hindu teachings on violence and the Kshatriya's duty

3 things to know
Component Group 2

Overview

Ahimsa and the duty to fight, Krishna's arguments to Arjuna in Gita II 22–25, 37–38 and 47–48, the battle as allegory, the Rig Veda war hymns, the karma of violence, and misuse of teaching.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What forms of violence break ahimsa, and how do Hindus reconcile ahimsa with the duty to fight?

Key term

What forms of violence do Hindus recognise as breaking ahimsa?

Key term

How do Hindus reconcile ahimsa with the Kshatriya's duty to fight?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What forms of violence do Hindus recognise as breaking ahimsa?
Model answer
Hindus recognise violence in thought and word as well as physical harm. Anger, cruel speech and harm to animals all break ahimsa.
2
How do Hindus reconcile ahimsa with the Kshatriya's duty to fight?
Model answer
Ahimsa is the highest ideal, but Kshatriyas have a duty to protect the innocent. Force used without hatred to defend dharma is not seen as a breach of ahimsa.
3
How does Krishna use the eternal atman to justify Arjuna fighting in Bhagavad Gita II 22–25?
Model answer
Krishna teaches that the atman cannot be slain and simply takes a new body. Arjuna need not grieve over the deaths of a righteous war.
4
What does Bhagavad Gita II 37–38 tell Arjuna about fighting?
Model answer
If Arjuna dies in battle he gains heaven, and if he wins he enjoys the earth. Krishna tells him to fight treating victory and defeat alike, and so incur no sin.
5
How does Bhagavad Gita II 47–48 shape the way a Hindu soldier should fight?
Model answer
The soldier should do his duty without attachment to the results. A soldier who fights with equanimity, free from hatred or greed, avoids bad karma.
6
Why do many Hindus read the battle in the Bhagavad Gita as an allegory?
Model answer
Gandhi and others read the battle as the inner war between good and evil within each person. Read this way, the Gita does not justify real war.

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