Srila Prabhupada’s opinion on war focused specifically on the protection of innocent, women and children, and, of course, devotees of Krishna Consciousness movement. On February 24, 2022, a brutal war broke out in Ukraine. Cities were bombed, civilians killed, and millions of innocent — including several thousands of devotees — were forced to flee their homes. The following selection of quotes from Srila Prabhupada answer the question of how devotees should respond to such a crisis.
Srila Prabhupada’s own words and the sastras offer a clear response.
Srila Prabhupada’s own words and the sastras offer a clear response.
The Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.7.53–54) describes Arjuna killing Asvatthama, despite him being the son of a brahmana, because he was an aggressor. Srila Prabhupada comments: “An aggressor — even if a brahmana — must be killed. This is the injunction of the scriptures.” (SB 1.7.54, purport). He further explains: “Aggressor means one who comes to kill you, to burn your house, to kidnap your wife… such a person must be killed immediately.” (Lecture, Mayapur, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada emphasized that real sadhus are not passive when dharma is violated: “We are not sadhus like that — ‘Let the world burn, I’ll meditate.’ When there is a need to fight, we shall fight.” (San Diego, 1972) Thousands of plates of prasadam are being distributed daily in Ukraine, devotees are still offered a warm welcome in all European temples and those who provided the largest contributions were rewarded with ISKCON Communications awards.
The Killing of Innocents Is the Greatest Sin
The Bhagavatam condemns violence against civilians: “It is said that killing women, children, the elderly, and brahmanas is considered the greatest sin” (SB 1.8.49).
In the war in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed, including women, children, and the elderly. “Krishna was extremely angry with Putana because she killed children. He killed her without hesitation.” (SB 10.6.13) Srila Prabhupada clearly stated: “Even in modern warfare, the fight is between soldiers, not civilians. If one attacks civilians, he is a demon.”
Some argue that devotees should remain neutral, but as a senior GBC-man commented: “A Vaishnava is above politics — but not above morality. When dharma and adharma clash, one must take the side of dharma. Neutrality in such a case is betrayal.”
A true Vaishnava is described as para-duhkha-duhkhi — “one who feels the suffering of others as their own.” (SB 4.6.47)
Srila Prabhupada’s Heart Goes to Devotees’ Suffering
This war is not abstract — it has directly impacted the sādhana and service of hundreds of devotees. Harinamas are silenced by shelling. Families spend nights in bomb shelters. Deities have been removed from many temples for protection. Several temples and devotees’ homes have been destroyed. Over forty devotees have died, leaving behind grieving congregations, small children, and families without support.
Because it is not “just politics” and devotional life is under siege, hundreds of thousands of devotees supported and continue to support the innocent who have become victims.
Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita (4.8): “To protect the righteous and annihilate the wicked, I appear millennium after millennium.” Srila Prabhupada explained that this principle also applies to His devotees: “If someone attacks our movement, we must act. A devotee is not a fool. Arjuna was a devotee, and he fought.” (London, 1973)
“We should not tolerate aggression. That is not humility — that is cowardice.” (BG Lecture, 2.1–10) In times of crisis, Vaishnavas are called not only to chant but also to protect, speak out, and stand with victims.