Holy War / Sacred Conflict

Quran 2:190-193

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them, and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. But do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.”

Jihad as defensive struggle against oppression

Bhagavad Gita 2:31-33

“Considering your specific duty as a kshatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and therefore you should not hesitate. O Partha, happy are the kshatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.”

Dharma Yuddha as righteous warfare

Luke 22:36 + Augustine

“Jesus said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.' And Augustine wrote, 'The natural order conducive to peace among mortals demands that the power to declare and counsel war should be in the hands of those who hold the supreme authority.'”

Christian just war theory and Crusade theology

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, saying, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your hearts faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified before them.'”

Milhemet Mitzvah (commanded war) for national survival

Poetic Edda, Völuspá 30-31

“I know that Heimdall's hearing is bent under the World-tree; his ears hear all nine worlds. I know the ash stands, named Yggdrasil; the high tree is wetted with white dew. And there come the valkyries from afar, riding to choose the slain and determine the fates of gods. To Odin's hall ride those who fall in battle, glorified.”

Valkyries and warrior ascension in Norse cosmology

Guru Gobind Singh

“The Khalsa warrior fights not for land or gold, but to defend the innocent and uphold righteousness. The Guru said, 'When all other means have failed, it is righteous to take up the sword.' This warrior saint is the embodiment of justice and divine will.”

Khalsa as warrior order defending dharma