The Russia-Ukraine War has claimed a large number of casualties on both sides. Estimates vary, but deaths and other casualties combined on both sides could be anywhere in the region of half a million, with no end in sight. By the end of the war, whenever that may be, the numbers will be significantly higher. Why are people being killed so needlessly? Basically the question is, why the war? Several reasons can be attributed, predominant among those being unresolved legacies of the Soviet break-up on the one hand and the clear alignment of Ukraine with USA/Europe, eastward expansion of the NATO and consequent insecurities of Russia on the other. Not just Ukraine-Russia, wars are waiting to ignite in other parts of the world.
In our deeply interconnected world, half the world being engaged in this conflict in various degrees, has affected not only themselves, but the other half as well. Most of the involved parties belong to the affluent and developed world, on whom others depend for food, technology, education, travel, financial aid, commerce and livelihood. In earlier days, rival kings fought and commoners paid the price. Today, world leaders fight and humanity pays the price. Earlier, kings fought for territory and influence, even over women. Today, world leaders fight over territory, climate, technology, economy, religion, ideology, everything.
Rewind to the Mahabharata. At the spiritual level, the basic fallibilities of human beings are revealed to Arjuna, the Great Warrior, by his Divine Charioteer, Sri Krishna, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra as explained in ‘The Song Celestial’, our very own ‘Bhagwad Gita’. Among the several life-changing lessons that he imparts to a shattered and distraught Arjuna in the face of imminent war, is the need to be equanimous, composed and stable of mind, as in this state, one is able to see and do the right thing without unnecessary attachment. People with scattered and unstable minds are not likely to envision the larger good.
Sri Krishna educates Arjuna about the ‘sad-ripu’ or the six enemies of every human being, which must be controlled; else they lead us to the path of unrighteousness and destruction. These are Krodha (anger), Kama (desire), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (pride and arrogance) and Matsarya (jealousy). Of these, it is said that the first two are the most dangerous and hardest to control. Once these are controlled, the others are relatively easier to control with the right kind of teaching and internal discipline. Look around in the world today. Whatever ails us – from wars and conflicts at one end to school shootouts and eve-teasing on the other – and everything in between can be attributed to the unbridled gallop of the ‘sad-ripu’.
The Divine Charioteer spoke centuries ago. The Arjunas in us have ignored that wisdom. And the world is paying a hefty price. Humanity needs a rough wake-up call as it hurtles at hypersonic speed towards assured self-destruction. It is time to heed ‘The Celestial Song.’
Dasu,
Very nice article. Some comments
1) if you look at humanity over from say 5000 BC where the Mahabharat enacted, the only action which has endured time is war.
2) Nothing much is said after the kurukshetra war, but again after around 2000 years Ramayan erupts.
Our ancient works are collated by keeping in mind the narrative to be told. Much similar like Christianity.
Time has proved that war is there to stay.
3) People die, economies get disrupted. Yes. But that I feel is the nature of life.
It has been happening, it will happen.
The last 80 odd years do not present a prism of history of over 7000 odd years ( if you take the context of hindu mythology ).
These just are my views.
Very well worded article.
Yours aye
Pondy
Wonderfully penned as usual. A very deep ideological and moral thought that is so relevant in today’s maddening world. By nature, humans are self destructing. It’s a question ‘When’?
Agree Sir.
Regards
If only…humanity knew to learn from others mistakes!!
Wonderful analogy of today’s conflict which the world is watching and paying a price for to yester years.
The only difference being its not either side but humanity is losing as a whole.
The new business ofbeing at war seems the flavor of today…
Very rightly said. In this deeply connected world where all are affected by wars we can’t seem to see the larger good . Greedy, egoistic and power corrupted leaders are leading the world into assured disaster. Appreciate the context taken from ‘The Celestial Song.’
Very well researched, Bhagwat Geeta analogy so very well put
Well written sir. With US supremacy being increasingly challenged, desperate measures will be attempted to retain her position and relevance. The Russia-Ukraine war – a proxy war being fought by NATO is only one among these many desperate measures. Add to it the Nord Stream Pipeline sabotage, which according to Hersh Seymour could be ascribed to USA, as also sanctions, and you can clearly see the subterfuge unraveling.
Sir,
Nicely put. The Indian wisdom of yesteryears says that simple conflicts between individuals arise for ‘zar joru zameen’. Thucydides said that wars are fought due fear, honour and interest. In the contemporary times, the reasons for conflicts have increased manifold. However, the six enemies of human beings as elucidated by Sri Krishna still remain relevant.
Very aptly put across dear Dashu. Time has come to read these teachings again and again to wake up our human morality. Else mutual destruction is just around the corner.