Can Krishna be blamed for Mahabharata war?

Lord Krishna is one of the most worshipped God in India and the world over. But there are also people who have a grudge against him as they believe he is responsible for the Mahabharata war at Kurukshetra, in which thousands of warriors, from the sides of both Pandavas and Kauravas, lost their lives.

The first and the biggest accusation was levied on him by Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas who lost all her 100 sons in the war. She even curses Krishna for allegedly being the flag-bearer of the war.

Let’s explore this question of whether He can be blamed for the war by looking at a larger picture.

The whole enmity between the Pandavas and Kauravas started right when they were children. Duryodhana, the leader of the 100 Kaurava brothers had jealousy and hatred for the Pandavas, which consisted of Yudhishthir, Arjuna, Bheem, Nakula and Sahadeva, from early childhood. He was eager to sit on the throne of Hastinapur but knew that Yudhisthir would be made the successor as he is elder than him.

But Duryodhana’s lust for the throne was so profound that he started devising various ways to kill the Pandavas. He tried poisoning them when they were kids but were miraculously saved. When they grew up, Duryodhana sent them to a place for recreation where he had planned to burn them alive. This incident is also called Lakshagraha incident.

A scene during the Mahabharata war

The evil Kaurava than gave the biggest blow to the five Pandavas. He, along with his partner-in-crime uncle Shakuni, invited Yudhisthir for a game of dice. They not only defeated Yudhisthir through deceit but also ensured that he loses his brothers, their wife Draupadi and the kingdom. On top of that, they also had to spend 14 years in exile in forests. Meanwhile, Duryodhana became the ruler of the kingdom.

But when the period of 14 years of excile was coming to an end, Duryodhana started getting restless. He knew he will have to hand over the kingdom to the Pandavas. The thought itself used to anger him. Hence, a war at Kurukshetra was declared after Pandavas’ arrival to decide who will rule over Hastinapur.

It was during this time that Lord Krishna decided to intervene to ensure that the war doesn’t happen. He didn’t want a violent solution where thousands of warriors would die. So, He became a messenger of peace on behalf of the Pandavas and visited Duryodhana to request him to not hold the war.

Duryodhana, full of Tamas, rubbishes off the suggestion. Krishna even told Duryodhana that he can keep the kingdom of Hastipanur while the five Panadava brothers would be happy to get just five small villages for themselves. However, Duryodhana doesn’t agree to this as well by saying that he won’t even give a needle point’s space to the Pandavas.

Duryodhana even insults Krishna, due to which he is compelled to show his Viraat Roop. Watch the scene of this event in the Hindi serial Mahabharat by clicking HERE.

As the head of Kaurava was in no mood to listen, the war of Kurukshetra became inevitable. Krishna sided with the Pandavas by becoming Arjuna’s charioteer. Without picking up weapons, he ensures that the Kauravas got defeated.

It is clear that Duryodhana wanted war, come what may. Even if this would mean not willing to give a needle point’s space to his cousins.

So, I personally, don’t believe that Krishna can be blamed for the Mahabharata war.

Also read:

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Lessons from Mahabharata: Your choice determines your fate, like Karna’s did