The Creative Process: The Arts of War (Spring 2017)

Spring 2017
The Arts of War
is incensed. He goes so far as to say that “violent means are the only
way to seize control, while leniency results in defeat” (II.18.8). Rāmā
placates him and they go their way. When Sitā is kidnapped,
however, Rāmā becomes uncharacteristically enraged, and it is
Lakshmana who calms him. Many other instances in the text stress
on the importance of peaceful means of resolving conflict, and the
attempts made by Hanumān, Lakshmana, and Vibhīshana to resolve
conflict via discourse. But because they are at the bidding of Rāmā,
who has decided upon war, they are forced to engage in violence.
What I find most interesting is that in both cases Rāmā loses his
honor, but in the former the authoritative legitimacy of his father
deems the cause not worthy of a rebellion. One of the tenets of the
just war is the presence of a legitimate authority; something we will
not go into much detail. However, Rāmā’s willingness to avoid war
in face of his exile seems to stem from his obedience of his father’s
wishes—in other words, a respect for authority. Many sociological
studies suggest that this has something to do with caste –not only is
Dasharatha a human, but he is also a Kshatriyā, the only caste
allowed to wield weapons. Rāvana is half-Rākshasa, half-Brahmin;
thus, both his caste and his demon blood (which also robs him of
humanly moral principles) deprive him of any legitimacy to wield
weapons and wage war. It is often suggested that Rāmā declared war
outraged at Rāvana’s audacity to declare himself king and adopt the
ways of the Kshatriyā caste.
The principle of last resort finds prominence in Rākshasa military
ethics as well. Both Vibhīshana and Kumbhakarna chastise him and
urge him to rethink his decisions. War is to be avoided whenever
possible, and when it becomes inevitable, it is best to be on the side
of the ‘righteous’ (as illustrated by Vibhīshana’s defection to Rāmā’s
army). However, it is clear that both Rāmā and Rāvana avoid
peaceful counsel. The principle of last resort has thus not been
obeyed.
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