Nonviolence (ahiṁsā) and war in the Mahābhārata: The journey of Yudhiṣṭhira

One of the central themes of the Mahābhārata (Mbh) focuses on ahiṁsā (non-violence), and its relevance for kṣatriyas (warrior kings). An often quoted verse from the war epic is ahimso paro dharma (Non-violence is the supreme dharma) (Mbh 3.198.69). Yet, the story culminates in a devastating war, that is overseen by God himself. The epic presents various perspectives of ahiṁsā and hiṁsā (violence) which are articulated by different characters. In this paper, I explore how the Mahābhārata frames these diverse worldviews in conversation with one another with a special focus on how Yudhiṣṭhira dealt with the problem of violence that was ubiquitous in his life. I will show that despite the multivalent views in the Mbh on ahiṁsā, it is possible to extract a coherent understanding through its sequential narrative of Yudhiṣṭhira’s lifestory.