What is Non Violence

We often take the word Non violence as being harmless but ignore several aspects that the word non violence implies to. Non violence is not only the practice of being harmless with deeds but also to remain harmless without having enmity to self as well as to others including human, animals and other living being under every possible conditions.

To avoid hurting is defiantly an example of non violence but the hatred towards someone is violence. The action itself is neither violent nor non violent. It is the cause behind the action that determines whether the act is a violent action or a non violent one.

In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism , several scriptures provide great references of Ahimsa ( Non Violence ) and has been elaborated in detail by Lord Krishna in Shree Bhagwad Gita.

Chandogya Upanishad, one of the oldest Upanishads has reference of Ahimsa which prohibits any violence towards all creatures ( Sarvbhuta ) . The Upanishad further states the one practicing Ahimsa can be free from the cycle of rebirth which signifies the importance of this divine virtue.

In great epic Mahabharata there are several mentions of the phrase “Ahimsa Parmo Dharm” which signifies the importance of non violence in Hinduism.

But there is a narrow line that differentiates violence with non violence.

Killing an animal or a bird for food or fun is a violent action while the killing an animal, which kills people or destroys crops, is not an act of violence.

Punishing for a crime is not violent while not punishing or remaining mute is a kind of violence, reason being if the criminal is not punished, he could harm many in a more drastic way.

Applying force in self defense is non violence but if we remain mute spectator , the attacker can give more harm to the society and the civilization.

Arthshashtra written by Chanakya has detailed chapters about the punishments, self defense and other scenarios that does involve applying force but yet comes under non violence.

Lord Krishna while preaching Arjuna in Shree Bhagwad Gita says

अहिंसा परमो धर्मः धर्म हिंसा तथैव च:

Ahimsa Parmo Dharm, Dharm Hinsa Tathaiv Cha

( Non-violence is the ultimate duty, but to apply violence is the best to protect the world from evils).