Restoring Dharma, Not Promoting Adharma
Krishna’s role in the Kurukshetra war is often misunderstood. Some argue that He employed deception and adharmic (unrighteous) methods to ensure the Pandavas’ victory over the Kauravas. However, such a view lacks a deeper understanding of Krishna’s divine purpose. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His actions are always beyond mundane morality. The Bhagavad Gita (4.7-8) clearly states:
“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I appear, millennium after millennium.”
Thus, Krishna’s actions during the war were not adharmic; rather, they were necessary interventions to restore righteousness (dharma). To understand this, we must examine His actions in the context of the Kauravas’ misdeeds and the larger cosmic plan.
Understanding Dharma and Krishna’s Interventions
Dharma is not a rigid set of rules but a dynamic principle meant to uphold righteousness, justice, and cosmic order. In some cases, what appears as a violation of dharma at a superficial level is actually necessary to uphold a higher form of dharma. Krishna’s actions in the Mahabharata must be seen in this light.
The Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, engaged in countless acts of adharma:
- Attempted murder of the Pandavas – Duryodhana plotted to burn the Pandavas alive in the house of lac.
- Deceitful game of dice – Shakuni manipulated the game to strip Yudhishthira of his kingdom, wealth, and even Draupadi’s honor.
- Insult and humiliation of Draupadi – Duryodhana and Karna attempted to disrobe Draupadi in the Kuru court, violating the dignity of womanhood.
- Breaking agreements – Duryodhana refused to honor Krishna’s peace proposal, showing his unwillingness to avoid war.
When a party persistently engages in unrighteousness, conventional rules of engagement no longer apply. Krishna’s guidance to the Pandavas ensured that adharma did not prevail under the disguise of false morality.
Instances Where Krishna’s Actions Were Misinterpreted
Several instances in the Mahabharata are often cited as examples of Krishna employing adharmic tactics. Let us analyze them in light of dharma.
1. Bhima Striking Duryodhana’s Thigh
During the final battle, Bhima struck Duryodhana on the thigh, leading to his downfall. Critics argue that this was against the rules of mace combat, but the context matters.
- Before the war, Duryodhana had insulted Draupadi by slapping his thigh, indicating where he wanted her to sit. Symbolically, Bhima’s blow was retribution for this insult.
- Duryodhana had already disregarded all dharmic principles in war. He had instructed his army to kill Abhimanyu unjustly by ganging up on him, violating the warrior code.
- Krishna reminded Bhima that defeating such a wicked person required unconventional measures.
This was not adharmic; it was justice in response to Duryodhana’s lifelong misdeeds.
2. The Deception Against Dronacharya
Dronacharya, the Kaurava commander, was nearly invincible. Krishna devised a strategy where Bhima loudly declared that “Ashwatthama is dead,” making Dronacharya believe his son had been slain. This broke his will to fight, allowing him to be defeated.
- Dronacharya had already acted unrighteously by supporting Duryodhana despite knowing his evil nature.
- He participated in the cruel killing of Abhimanyu.
- The deceptive message was only half-truth: an elephant named Ashwatthama had indeed been killed.
Krishna’s strategy was a means to stop a powerful warrior from prolonging adharma.
3. Arjuna Killing Karna When He Was Weaponless
Krishna urged Arjuna to kill Karna while he was struggling to lift his chariot wheel. Some view this as a violation of war ethics, but here is the deeper truth:
- Karna had violated ethics multiple times, including assisting in the killing of Abhimanyu and encouraging Draupadi’s humiliation.
- In war, delaying an enemy’s defeat due to misplaced ethics allows evil to persist.
- Krishna reminded Arjuna that Karna had shown no mercy to others and did not deserve undue leniency.
This was not an act of adharmic violence but of ensuring that justice was delivered.
Krishna and Modern Warfare: A Misplaced Comparison
Some argue that Krishna’s methods in the Mahabharata justify injustice in modern warfare. This is a flawed interpretation. Krishna’s interventions were aimed at restoring dharma, whereas modern wars are often driven by political ambition, greed, and power struggles.
1. Krishna Did Not Support Unjust Wars
In the Bhagavad Gita (2.31), Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Considering your dharma as a warrior, you should not waver. For a warrior, there is nothing more honorable than a war fought for righteousness.”
This verse clarifies that Krishna supports war only when it is necessary to protect dharma. Modern conflicts, however, are often driven by ulterior motives rather than justice.
2. Krishna Sought Peace Before War
Before the war, Krishna made every effort to prevent bloodshed:
- He personally went to Hastinapura as a peace envoy.
- He asked for only five villages for the Pandavas, which Duryodhana refused.
- He repeatedly advised against war, but the Kauravas left no choice.
Modern wars rarely see such efforts at reconciliation. Instead, they are often fought over resources, power, and ideologies.
3. Krishna’s Actions Were Not Selfish
Krishna had nothing to gain personally from the war. His only goal was to establish dharma. In contrast, modern leaders often use warfare to expand their influence and material gain.
Conclusion: Krishna’s Justice Is Not a Justification for Unjust War
Krishna’s actions in the Mahabharata were not examples of adharma but of divine justice. He ensured that those who had persistently violated dharma were punished accordingly. While some of His strategies may appear deceptive on the surface, they were necessary to counter greater deception and injustice.
Using Krishna’s actions to justify modern-day warfare is a misunderstanding of His teachings. He fought for righteousness, not for selfish motives or material conquest. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that one must act in accordance with dharma, ensuring justice and fairness.
Therefore, Krishna’s interventions in the Mahabharata should not be seen as a precedent for unjust warfare today. Instead, they should be understood as the divine orchestration to restore righteousness, something that should inspire individuals and leaders to uphold truth and justice rather than manipulate dharma for selfish purposes.
