Transitioning from war to global peace and welfare

War is the ghastliest form of any conflict and represents perverted use of the intellect gifted to human being by God for higher purposes. It may be justified only in most extreme circumstances like Mahabharat war for protection of essential righteousness (dharma) and destruction of extreme evil (adharma) and that too after all reasonable attempts are been made for striking a compromise after necessary let up. The war in Ramayana also became inevitable after all well-wishers from within and without persuaded Ravana to avoid the unjust conflict centered on ahamkara. In modern jurisprudence also, the capital punishment is awarded for rarest of the rare offence which also serves as a deterrent to heinous crime by others. Let us take a cue from nature where any thermodynamic system naturally tends towards the state of minimum free energy which is also the stable state. Any form of dire conflict or war is against this natural phenomenon.

It is also very difficult to justify any war as Dharma Yuddha, war for establishing apparent righteousness & destroying apparent evil. This is because ethics is relative and is interpreted based on time, place and context. Besides, you cannot have a situation where one side is absolutely right and other side absolutely wrong.   This is analogous to a road accident where a law holds both parties accountable for causing an accident. The fine legal term ‘contributory negligence’ holds that supposedly innocent party did not exercise sufficient vigil to avert the accident.

Acharya Vinoba Bhave rightly held that there cannot be a war between dharma & dharma. The ideal way to avoid war therefore is that both sides follow their respective dharma (destined duty). If one side deviates from dharma significantly, the other side has to tactfully reorient its dharma to counter the deviation of dharma without inflicting further harm. This is analogous to killing cancer cells by cancer therapy without affecting normal tissues and causing generalized cytotoxicity. This is what India tried to do in operation Sindur by demolishing terrorist camps in Pakistan without affecting its military of civil locations. India showed restraint and wisely instantly accepted call for ceasefire despite being in position of advantage. The radical cure lies in condemning all forms of terror worldwide and eradicating ignorance, the root cause and its fallout. This requires committed sustained efforts globally. The continuing Russia- Ukraine war and now USA-Israel-Iran war is very distressing and damaging not only to warring countries but to world at large. The present crises of fuel and energy worldwide explicitly reveals the interconnectedness and interdependence of nations. The whole world is affected when any untoward takes place anywhere in the world, just as the whole body is active even if a little thorn pricks the sloe of the foot.

The news of ‘cease fire’ is soothing to most people not just because no further damage will take place but because peace is our inherent nature and aligns well with warring factions and all others who are indirectly affected like passive smokers. Averting any conflict whether external or internal is the art of attuning with one’s self and reconciling with others. The news of conflict may be exciting but news of reconciliation is always soothing. 

The war is against God’s will & against human values & professed religions. This has to be practiced at smaller & even individual levels. Mere acts of indifference or strategic non-can be more penalizing than inflicting a war with an opponent.

I distinctly remember dialogue of Arun Govil acting as Lord Rama in the popular Ramayana serial composing his aggressive younger brother Lakshman saying- “If lifting the weapon is a sign of bravery, at times not lifting a weapon can be a sign of greater strength.” (shastra uthana virta ki nishani hai to Kabhi shastra nahi uthana param virata ki nishani ho shakti hai)

We will do well to recall lofty message of Dalai Lama at the start of 21^st Century that was rooted in the belief of continual human development. He expressed fond hope that war between nations will become a thing of the past and looked forward to a future where peace and understandings through dialogue becomes primary tool for resolving conflicts rather than violence or military force. Alas! The world is not paying any heed or remembering to his gratifying words. Multilateral institution like UN, WHO & WTO are weakening and losing their harmonizing power. Ignoring the evil lands more power to evil than its intrinsic strength. The world leaders must shed their indifference and speak in forceful concerted voice to contain the war. Diffusing a war like situation is a greater diplomacy than mere protecting immediate isolated interests.

This is the time, India has to arise as a spiritual leader as aspired by likes of Maharshi Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda.The ideal of universal brotherhood is the offshoot of Indian ideal of unity of self or unity of existence. This owes to country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage which translates into seeing God in all objects and actions of the world, which is not the seeing of particulars, but of the universal in them.

Jayant B Dave