Ethical Justifications for War
Ethical Justifications for War in Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata SWOT of Ethical Justifications for War S ystematic ethical framework for any W arfare of O pposing sides is T he vital requirement . Introduction The Mahabharata presents one of the earliest and most sophisticated discussions of the ethics of war in world literature. Among its many books, Bhishma Parva occupies a crucial place, as it not only narrates the opening phase of the Kurukshetra war but also outlines a moral framework governing warfare. The Jamvukhanda Vinirmana sub‑parva of Bhishma Parva explicitly records pre‑war agreements between the Kurus, Pandavas, and Somakas regarding the conduct of war, thereby offering an early formulation of just war principles in ancient India. Concept of Dharma‑Yuddha (Righteous War) The ethical justification for war in Bhishma Parva is grounded in the concept of dharma‑yuddha , or righteous war. War is not portrayed as inherently...