RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Why is There Violence in Hindu Stories?

The main violence that we observe in Hindu mythology is the destruction of various demons by the Gods, avatars or great sages, as in the story of Rama and Ravana. These are symbols for truth destroying falsehood and are far from ordinary depictions of human violence much less a glorification of it.

Even in the Mahabharata war, violence is only resorted to as the last measure by people of the warrior class, after all else has failed, and is taken up only as a defensive battle. There is nowhere in Hinduism a glorification of violence to promote religion or the idea that violence can be good, though naturally Hindus, being people, have themselves been guilty of violence at times, but this has been to go against their religion.

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