The Mahabharata seem to challenge any straightforward readings about violence. How does it achieve that effect?

Some of the greatest founding “documents” or epics as they are often called, both of the “West” and “East”, are amongst other characterizations, very centrally war stories. It appears that the resort to war and violent resolution of conflict, though decried, somehow also always justified. So, for instance, Tacitus’ reproach to the Romans in Carthage: “You have made a desert and call it peace.” And, Krishna to Draupadi in The Mahabharata: “I promise you…all of them will be punished. Their blood will stain the dust. You will see Yudhistira installed on the throne,” and Krishna to Arjuna: “I am death, I am destruction. These men, who stand before you are already slain through their own karma, you will only be an instrument of their destruction.” However, The Mahabharata also seems to challenge any straightforward reading about violence. How does it achieve that effect?