Did Krishna encourage violence when he urged Arjuna to fight?

 

It was the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas.

When both Duryodhana and Arjuna reached Dwaraka for seeking the help of Yadava Army along with Sri Krishna, Balarama, etc, Balarama refused to fight by joining one side as both are equal to him and went on pilgrimage.

Sri Krishna offered 2 alternatives to them, as both are equal to him. They should one between 2 alternatives. The first one choose was Arjuna, being younger to Duryodhana.

• Himself - Sri Krishna. He added that he will not fight by taking weapon. He will give advise whenever asked for.
• Yadava army, with no strings attached.

Arjuna was confident of himself and being the disciple of Sri Krishna he wanted to show his prowess in the presence of his GURU. And, thus he selected Sri Krishna and asked Sri Krishna to drive his chariot, being a good charioteer. Duryodhana happily took the army.

The Kauravas side contain great warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Aswathama, etc. The Pandavas army was solely dependent on Arjuna in so far as archery is concerned. Arjuna knew this aspect.

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If Arjuna refuses to fight, then the predicament of Pandavas is known to everybody.

The War between Pandavas and Kauravas, sans Arjuna on Pandavas side, would have ended within a short period, with Pandavas getting defeated.

During the preaching of Bhagavadgita, Sri Arjuna just remined Arjuna of his duty as akshatriya - a warrior.

After all it was their battle. After preaching many aspects of life, Sri Krishna gave the final advice, which is as follows:

इति ते ज्ञानमाख्यातं गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं मया।

विमृश्यैतदशेषेण यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु।।18.63।।

Thus the knowledge, the mystery of mysteries, has been declared to you be Me.Reflecting on it fully, do what you will.

So Sri Krishna left the choice to Arjuna to decide. And, Arjuna decided to fight. It was his choice.