Lies and wars, politics and devotees: the concept of a just war.

“I long thought about our controversies and later wished that he would understand his mistake and join our ranks; there was strength and purity in that man, shining through the fumes in which his mind had lost its way.” — Francis Ambrière

Every day I write reflective thoughts about the state of the world and about Krishna consciousness. I have been doing this for decades.

Just like what follows.

For example, Donald Trump tore up the agreement that limited Iran’s uranium production, which his predecessor and the Europeans had signed and said they were satisfied with. That was very good. But now he wants something else, because the Israelis are not satisfied. The Israelis do not want a Muslim power to escape their dominating influence. They want an Iran that resembles Iraq or Syria. They want an Iran under their boots, as all the Muslim countries in the region are. 

Of course, Iranians do not agree with that. I myself, who come from a Sunni family that has always been opposed to Iran by tradition, support Iran’s right to defend itself. That's because I greatly appreciate that Iran is concerned about the Palestinian people.

To resolve this problem, devotees of Krishna in Israel sing joyfully in the streets of Tel Aviv and Haifa —just as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did in the streets of Nadia when he wanted to teach a lesson to the Muslim ruler who was preventing Krishna devotees from doing the same.

Israeli leaders are demanding that Donald Trump bomb Iran, despite his reluctance. And despite the consequences for the world economy, which from one day to the next would find itself in an absolutely disastrous situation.

Fortunately for these Krishna devotees, Americans know they must not start a war, because the devotees in Israel would quickly meet the fate of the Ukrainians. And none of us wants that. Is it not?

Every day I write reflective thoughts, yet all those Krishna devotees whom I know well —having eaten at their homes or sung with them in the streets of the great cities of the world— never like what I write, strangely enough. (No Likes.) I find myself wondering whether this is why, in June 1975, when I knocked on the door of the Paris temple to join Krishna consciousness, they made me sleep outside, in the park that opened onto Rue Lesueur and that was teeming with prostitutes at night —hoping to discourage me…

No, I’m joking 😃. I’m talking to the walls. I stick the link here so you can read the story of the Kazi and Mahaprabhu, taken from my book. 

Veda Vyasa himself arrives on the spot at this moment to infuse them with the strength of duty as Dharma :

"Dharmaputra, Truth alone can win and not untruth. That is the primordial law. Do not transgress it. It is not the size of the army that decides victory. Yours may be a small army, but it has Right and Justice on its side. See the self-confidence of your soldiers and their enthusiasm. Even in earlier ages, Narada had pronounced this same truth that victory is not the product of mere prowess or strength, but of truth, compassion, law of Dharma and human efforts based on these values. Victory without values is for brutes, short lived and it does not lead to civilization or the happiness guaranteed by goodness, greatness and spiritual wisdom. Go and emerge victorious."

Vyasa disappeared. The Pandavas were thrilled by this miracle of Vyasa's appearance and blessings !

--Dr. K.S. Narayanacharya, in Those Eighteen Days.

My commentary

I often speak with devotees of Krishna who are friends or acquaintances dear to me, because in the past we went through strong experiences together. Over time, and through events —such as COVID, the elections of certain political figures, or the wars in Ukraine and Iran— I have come to realize that these devotees do not see things the way I do. And I believe this has to do with the way they relate to truth: they manipulate it as one plays with an elastic band. They think that because they chant their sixteen rounds every day, their understanding carry authority over everything in this world. ■

It all started here: From Mahabharata to Iran

The art of fighting, or of waging war, by the Vedas

Before throwing themselves at one another and tearing each other apart to the death, the leaders of the two camps met to define the rules of combat, in accordance with the dharma of the kshatriyas. First of all, duels must take place between equals. Did this even need to be said, when Aryans formed the spearhead of both armies? Yes, the Vedic ritual of martial preparation required such precautions.

Early in the morning, after bathing in the river and praying to the gods, purified from the contingencies of ordinary life — in this case those created by alliances temporarily formed with one side or the other, often against their own inclination, in response to a friendly request or a political necessity — they arrived on the battlefield with the firm intention of adhering to the principles of their order.

For example, they agreed that duels must be fought between two chariots, and not between an elephant and a chariot, or between two archers, or two mace-bearers, and so on. If, during the fight, one of the opponents withdraws, he must not be pursued or harassed. If a warrior advances with a sword, his opponent must not use a bow or a spear.

Anyone who flees the battlefield must not be wounded or killed, and certainly not struck from behind. Under no circumstances should a soldier who is not ready to fight, or who is afraid, be attacked. Bands of musicians, those who carry weapons, and all who are not directly engaged in combat must not be targeted; their lives must be spared.

Furthermore, as soon as the sun disappears on the horizon, hostilities cease immediately. These are rules of chivalry that every kshatriya knows and respects. If a soldier does not cherish this art of combat in his heart and conscience, he is not qualified to take part in this battle; in fact, he is not worthy to bear arms or to be called an Aryan.

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* Dharma: natural rectitude; eternal condition; virtue, merit, duty. It is also the name of Yama, the god of justice and the father of Yudhishthira. The dharma-shastras are religious scriptures that prescribe the duties of the members of each class and of spiritual practitioners. For example, the dharma of sugar is to be sweet, and that of water is to be wet (sugar that is not sweet would make no sense). 

Translate from a French article I Wrote in 2013.

According to The Times of Israel, the Iranian mission stated: “No Iranian official has ever asked to bow at the gates of the White House. The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘eliminate’ the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.”

According to Donald Trump: “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” — June 2025

Which of the two is lying through his teeth? Obviously the other one — the foreigner, the Arab, the Muslim. (I live in France. They share mostly the same prejudices.)

For fifty years now, sanctions have been imposed on Iran that have brought the country to its knees. Its people suffer greatly. To make a useful comparison, the Americans have done the same thing to Cuba, which has lived in poverty for sixty years. Why? Out of malice. Is that possible? It is a truism — a plain truth — but don’t laugh; it is too serious. There is no other reason. Why do Americans tolerate this cruel injustice? Because they hate the Cubans. They accuse them of being communists. And the American people have come to live with this situation, which has lasted for more than half a century.

As for Iran, it is because of its alleged desire to acquire nuclear weapons, something that does not please the State of Israel, which fears it greatly and proclaims it everywhere. Yet Iran has always stated that the bomb does not interest it, that its ethics forbid it. This is written in their books of law, and media around the world have repeatedly published such statements: “We are not seeking to build nuclear weapons… From the standpoint of ideology and Islamic jurisprudence, we consider this to be forbidden… We will never attempt to acquire such weapons.” ■

It all started here: From Mahabharata to Iran