Category:Becoming Nonviolent
Theme Analysis
This category challenges the absolute application of nonviolence, specifically within the context of administration and warfare. While modern philosophy often touts nonviolence as the ultimate good, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for a ksatriya (warrior/administrator), "becoming nonviolent" on the battlefield is a sign of weakness, not spirituality. The quotes center on Arjuna's initial refusal to fight, which Krsna condemned as the "philosophy of fools." However, in the broader culture of knowledge (for brahmanas and devotees), becoming nonviolent is listed as an essential virtue. Thus, the category distinguishes between the artificial nonviolence of an administrator neglecting duty and the natural nonviolence of a self-realized soul.
- The Ksatriya's Duty: A king or administrator must protect citizens. If they try to become nonviolent, society falls into chaos because criminals and aggressors are left unchecked. Krsna severely chastised Arjuna for trying to become a "nonviolent coward."
- Religious Violence: The concept of dharma-yuddha (religious fight) means that violence is sometimes necessary. The quotes state that killing on the battlefield is not a sin for a soldier acting under proper authority.
- True Nonviolence: For those culturing spiritual knowledge, nonviolence is a natural byproduct. A devotee is prideless and distinct from the materialist. In a purely spiritual atmosphere, even animals give up their predatory nature and become nonviolent.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Becoming Nonviolent - Sentiment vs. Duty.
Pages in category "Becoming Nonviolent"
The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total.
A
- 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
- 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
- Arjuna wanted to become nonviolent the whole BG was taught to him, how to become violent, and this rascal said that in the BG there is nonviolence. It is not false? So a man preaching falsehood, is he a gentleman? Or he is a right man?
B
- Before hearing the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna was disturbed by the material whirlpool, by his affection for his family, society and community. Thus Arjuna wanted to become a philanthropic, nonviolent man of the world
- By such culture of knowledge one becomes gradually prideless, devoid of vanity, nonviolent, forbearing, simple, devoted to the great spiritual master, and self-controlled
I
- If ksatriya becomes nonviolent, then the whole state will be in chaos. They must learn how to kill any criminal
- If ksatriya becomes nonviolent, then the whole state will be in chaos. They must learn how to kill any criminal. He should be immediately killed
- 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
L
T
- 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
- The ksatriyas are so brave, they don't go away from fighting field, battlefield. Just like Arjuna was trying to become nonviolent. Immediately Krsna chastised him
- Those who are intentionally practicing to be vegetarians or to become nonviolent may have good qualifications by a material estimation, but these qualifications are not sufficient to make them devotees