Title
Revolutionary Violence and Hinduism: Aurobindo Ghose’s 'Active Resistance'
Department/School
Theology
Date
2018
Document Type
Article
Keywords
Aurobindo Ghose, violence, swadeshi, Mahabharata, Saktism
Abstract
In the nineteenth century, significant Indian leaders, like Surendranath Banerjea and Swami Vivekananda, emphasized that Indian is essentially a peaceful land. However, influenced by accounts of European history, Aurobindo Ghose was convinced that India needed to gain independence and that violence is the normal route for countries to gain freedom. Thus, in addition to revolutionary involvement in the first decade of the twentieth century, Aurobindo challenged the ideas of men like Banerjea and Vivekananda. He argued that Hinduism endorses violence in certain circumstances. He relied on notions of caste duties, the idea that the atman is beyond good and evil, and the teaching that destruction can open new possibilities. In the freedom struggle, Aurobindo's arguments did not predominate, but he nevertheless made important contributions.
Published in
Gandhi Marg Quarterly
Citation/Other Information
Ulrich, Edward T. "Revolutionary Violence and Hinduism: Aurobindo Ghose’s 'Active Resistance.'" Gandhi Marg Quarterly 40, no. 1-2 (2018): 7-36.