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15. GITA
Ethics in Mahabharatha
April 14, 2006 by Prabu Karthik.
We can also say the same about the killing of Karna and Duryodhana. It was not exactly ethical to attack someone who is busy lifting his chariot which gets stuck in the mud.
Similarly, Bheema had no business to smash Duryodhana's thighs as part of accepted Kadha war practices. Krishna subtly prompts him to do that citing Bheema's oath when Panchali was humiliated.
So I think Vyasa wants to imply subtly that when you enter a war, a few ethical blemishes here and there are inevitable. But maybe it's just me. Each person can interpret it in his own way.
But the fact remains that the practices of Pandavas to win the war was anything but ethical.
The following are from Indo link story of Mahabharata:
"It was the day when Karna was in command of the Kaurava army. He decided to have his final battle with Arjuna that day. Arjuna was also ready for him. The armies of the Kaurava and Pandava were skeptical of the outcome as both were equally powerful. When Karna proceeded towards Arjuna on the battlefield, Yudhishthira came in between and Karna cut his weapons in pieces. He spared Yudhishthira's life as he had promised to Kunti. Karna soon stood face to face with Arjuna. Suddenly Karna's charioteer was killed and one of the chariot's wheels broke down. Karna requested Arjuna to stop fighting while his wheel was fixed. Karna was unarmed and it was unethical for Arjuna to attack Karna in that situation. But Krishna spoke otherwise, "Karna, this war itself is unethical. It will be foolish of Arjuna not to take this opportunity to kill you."
Krishna encouraged Arjuna to kill Karna instantly. Thus Karna was killed mercilessly in the hands of his brother Arjuna.
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