Does the Gītā encourage violence, since Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to fight?

no — it addresses a just war after every peace effort failed, and it lists ahiṃsā among divine qualities.

The context matters. Before Kurukṣetra, the Mahābhārata shows years of injustice to the Pāṇḍavas and repeated attempts at peace — Kṛṣṇa himself went as envoy and asked for just five villages, and was refused. Arjuna is a warrior whose role is to protect, standing at a war that is already unavoidable. His collapse is not a principled pacifism but grief and confusion, and the Gītā answers that.

The Gītā itself counts ahiṃsā, truth and freedom from anger among the divine qualities (16.2), and praises one who is friendly and compassionate to all (12.13). It is not a manual for aggression.

Readers have long drawn different lessons. Gandhi read the battle as an allegory for the inner war between good and evil impulses; Tilak read it as a call to fearless action for justice. Both agreed the Gītā's goal is action free from hatred and selfishness.

Source: Bhagavad Gītā 16.2, 12.13; Udyoga Parva

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