Alternative Conceptualizations in International Relations

Abstract

India is perceived as the land that gave the concept of non-violence (ahimsa) to the world through M.K. Gandhi. In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly voted to institute 2 October as the International Day of Non-violence. But what does non-violence entail? In its true essence, non-violence was never to be used as an excuse for non-action. For Gandhi, in a choice between cowardice and violence, violence was advisable. Interestingly and somewhat counter intuitively, the Mahabharata recognizes the virtues and importance of peace but it does not see absolute non-violence as an achievable goal, even if it may be desirable. What it then professes is the concept of ānŗśamsya or non-cruelty, a golden mean between violence and non-violence. The supreme duty in the Mahabharata was not ahimsa but ānŗśamsya. Hence, fighting was not necessarily considered good or desirable, but for a greater good and justice, fighting a war was expected and furthermore, to ensure victory in it was absolutely essential. However, what had to be ensured was adherence to non-cruelty. The aim of this article is to understand and discuss the implications of the concept of aānŗśamsya as given in the Mahabharata.