{"id":28787,"date":"2020-10-02T07:49:06","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T03:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=28787"},"modified":"2020-10-02T07:49:06","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T03:49:06","slug":"ahimsa-supreme-duty-of-mankind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/ahimsa-supreme-duty-of-mankind\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahimsa \u2013 Supreme Duty of Mankind"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Niranjana KarthigaiRajan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tree of Knowledge<\/u><\/span><\/h5>\n

The word Ahimsa (non-violence) means one should not be a reason for another\u2019s distress. Ahimsa is abstaining from harming any living-being by word, deed, or even by thought. As we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s 151st<\/sup> birth anniversary, it\u2019s opportune for us to reflect on his principle of non-violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>Ahimsa – The Power of the Powerless. Photo – videovision.co.za<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNon-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man. Destruction is not the law of humans,\u201d said Mahatma Gandhi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notable world leaders including Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Ho Chi Minh, Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Dalai Lama have drawn inspiration from the Gandhian model of \u2018ahimsa\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this time of violence triggered by great powers, prevalence of war, and of unrest in many parts of the world, it is vital to stand together to instil a culture of peace by spreading compassion, kindness and hope.<\/span><\/p>\n

The highest virtue of life<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhi\u1e43sa Paramo Dharma\u201d (Non-violence is the highest virtue of life), says Mahabharata. Our vedic texts advocate ahimsa as the fundamental discipline.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Gita, Lord Krishna says \u201cahimsa samataa tushtistapo daanam yashoyashaha bhavanti bhaavaa bhootaanaam matta eva prithagvidhaahaa<\/em>\u201d. Here, Krishna lists ahimsa as one of 20 qualities that emanate from Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0In Bhagavatha Purana, the Lord says \u201cahimsa satyam asteyam asango hrir asancayah astikyam brahmacaryam ca maunam sthairyam ksamabhayam\u201d.<\/em> Here, The Lord advises Uddhava on non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, detachment, realising one\u2019s mistake, belief in God, moderation of the senses, silence, steadfastness of mind, patience, fearlessness \u2013 and these fundamental disciplines constitute yama <\/em>(the ethical code of conduct).<\/span><\/p>\n

Concern for all living beings<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ahimsa extends to all forms of life. Cruelty caused to animals by any means viz animal testing, hunting, or animal sacrifice all lead to accumulation of sin. Hunting or harming animals is not permitted as they cause distress to the people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst lying on the death bed of arrows, Bhishma surrounded by Krishna, Pandavas, and Duryodhana, advised Dharmaputra on ahimsa and vegetarian diet. When Dharmaputra questioned about physical strength for the Kshatriyas (warriors) on vegetarian diet, Bhishma clarified that warriors draw physical strength from self-discipline, and says that he himself (the mightiest warrior) is a vegetarian. In addition, Bhishma advises on the greatness of creating and preserving water bodies. He says that one who plants trees reaps benefits for 21 generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lord pervades all of His creation. Therefore, all life is sacred and should be loved. In addition, the Law of Karma teaches that whatever we do through word, thought, or deed will return to us. If we cause injury in any way, it will eventually come back to us in an equivalent or amplified intensity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prerequisite for practising yoga<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ahimsa plays an important role in bringing the mind under control and enable a life of peace and happiness. If the diet is pure the mind will be pure. In the Yoga Sutras, Pantanjali emphasizes on vegetarian diet as a prerequisite for a yogic living.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patanjali sets out his definition of yoga in the Yoga Sutras as having \u201cAshtanga\u201d (in Sanskrit \u201cAshta\u201d means eight and \u201cAnga\u201d means limbs). The eight limbs of yoga are yama (abstinence), niyama (personal discipline), asana<\/em> (yoga postures), pranayama<\/em> (breath control), pratyahara<\/em> (withdrawal of the senses), dharana <\/em>(concentration), dhyana<\/em> (meditation) and samadhi<\/em> (state of bliss and realization of God).<\/span><\/p>\n

The eightfold path of Patanjali’s yoga consists of a set of prescriptions for a moral code and purposeful life, of which asanas <\/em>(yoga postures) form one of the eight limbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahimsa in speech<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ahimsa is more than just killing. Cultivating ahimsa in speech is as vital as refraining from causing physical harm. \u201cTo utter harsh words when you have kind words is like plucking an unripe fruit when there are ripe ones,\u201d says Thiruvalluvar (Tamil poet and philosopher).<\/span><\/p>\n

We have to incorporate lovable, truthful and harmless speech in our day to day life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven when whatever besides you are left unguarded, guard your tongue; otherwise errors of speech and the consequent misery will ensue.\u201c Thirukural 127.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cFor me, non-violence was not a moral principle but a strategy; there is no moral goodness in using an ineffective weapon,\u201d said Nelson Mandela. On this day, let us take oath to walk the path of truth and non-violence as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Niranjana KarthigaiRajan<\/span>
\n<\/strong>niranjanavk@gmail.com<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

* Published in print edition on 2 Octobre 2020<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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