Book Title: Development of Hinduism
Author(s): M M Ninan
Publisher: M M Ninan

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Page 407
________________ Buddha -God incarnate to deceive people Religious Doctrines in the Mahabharata By Nicholas Sutton 6. The Ethics of the Bhagavad-gita 15. GITA In 2.31-37 and 3.9-16, he asserts the primacy of sva-dharma over Arjuna's notion of morality. The views expressed by Arjuna in favour of non-violence cannot be sustained because he is a kstriya and therefore his dharma is to fight. (2.31-37). Warfare is a ritual act for a warrior, intimately connected with the execution of yajnas - yajnah karma-samudbhavah (3.14) - which nourish and sustain both the gods and the earth. Hence in terms of the previous discussion, Krsna in the opening chapters of the Gita rejects Arjuna's moral view by stressing the ascetic and ritual ethics just as Vyasa does to Ydhisthira in the debate that follows the battle. It is for this reason that Edgerton asserts that morality is underplayed in the gita, a view confirmed by Dasgupta who states, "the Gita does not rise to the ideal of regarding all beings as friends or to that of universal compassion' and "Gita does not rise to the dieal of regarding all beings as friends or to that of universal compassion." And. "Gita has no programme of universal altruism, and is never a handbook of good works." "Since killing is your duty, Kill." That is what Krsna says. Apart from the teaching Krishna's acts and advise, during the war that followed this same principle of Sva-dharma (your own dharma which in this case translates as personal interest) was shown in application. If it is advantages for you to lie, deceive or kill do that with soberness and without guilt. "the Gita does not rise to the ideal of regarding all beings as friends or to that of universal compassion" Look at the killing of Dronacharya 403

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