Rise of Non-violent Violation

Published on 10th July, 2016, in Mid-Day. In the Mahabharata, during the war at Kurukshetra, Yudhishtira is forced to withdraw from the battlefield at one point. Arjuna follows his elder brother, to check on his wellbeing, but this annoys Yudhishtira, who would rather have Arjuna on the battlefield than in his tent. Arjuna gets upset when his elder brother mistakes his concern for cowardice. Tempers flare. Words are exchanged. Yudhishtira ends up insulting Gandiva, Arjuna’s bow. Fearing that the brothers may come to blows, Krishna intervenes until sanity returns. Yudhishtira regrets his harsh words. Arjuna regrets his rage. But then, Arjuna remembers a vow. ‘I ..