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Meaning of Ahimsa

Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term that translates roughly into non-injury to living beings or dynamic harmlessness. Ahimsa tends to evoke images of monks wearing cloths over their faces to avoid breathing microscopic beings and sweeping the insects off the path in front of them as they walk so they won't accidentally crush one under their feet. One cannot easily live in today's world without causing some harm to other beings - but that does not mean we shouldn't try to keep it to a minimum. There are some relatively easy steps you can take to reduce the suffering in your wake.

Practice of Ahimsa develops love. Ahimsa is another name for truth or love. Ahimsa is universal love. It is pure love. It is divine Prem. Where there is love; there you will find Ahimsa. Where there is Ahimsa, there you will find love and selfless service. They all go together.

The one message of all saints and prophets of all times and climes, is the message of love, of Ahimsa, of selfless service. Ahimsa is the noblest and best of traits that are found expressed in the daily life and activities of perfected souls. Ahimsa is the one means, not only to attain Salvation, but also to enjoy uninterrupted peace and bliss. Man attains peace by injuring no living creature.

There is one religion - the religion of love, of peace. There is one message, the message of Ahimsa. Ahimsa is a supreme duty of man.

Ahimsa, or refraining from causing pain to any living creature, is a distinctive quality emphasized by Indian ethics. Ahimsa or non-violence has been the central doctrine of Indian culture from the earliest days of its history. Ahimsa is a great spiritual force.

Benefits of the practice of Ahimsa

If you are established in Ahimsa, you have attained all virtues. Ahimsa is the pivot and all virtues revolve around Ahimsa. Just as all footprints are accommodated in those of the elephant, so also do all religious rules become merged in the great vow of Ahimsa.

Ahimsa is soul-force. Hate melts in the presence of love. Hate dissolves in the presence of Ahimsa. There is no power greater than Ahimsa. The practice of Ahimsa develops will power to a considerable degree. The practice of Ahimsa will make you fearless. He, who practices Ahimsa with real faith, can move the whole world, can tame wild animals and can win the hearts of all his enemies. He can do and undo things. The power of Ahimsa is infinitely more wonderful and subtler than electricity or magnetism.

The law of Ahimsa is as much exact and precise as the law of gravitation. You must know the correct way to apply it intelligently and with scientific accuracy. If you are able to apply it with precision, you can work wonders. You can command the elements and Nature as well.

Forms of Ahimsa

Only the ordinary people think that Ahimsa is not to hurt any living being physically. The vow of Ahimsa is broken even by showing contempt towards another man, by entertaining unreasonable dislike for or prejudice towards anybody, by frowning at another man, by hating another man, by abusing another man, by speaking ill of others, by harboring thoughts of hatred, by uttering lies, or by ruining another man in any way at all.

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All harsh and rude speech is Himsa (violence or injury). Using harsh words to beggars, servants or inferiors is Himsa. Wounding the feelings of others by gesture, expression, tone of voice and unkind words is also Himsa. Slighting or showing deliberate discourtesy to a person before others is Himsa. To approve of another's harsh actions is indirect Himsa. To fail to relieve another's pain, or even to neglect to go to the person in distress is a sort of Himsa. Avoid strictly all forms of harshness, direct or indirect, positive or negative, immediate or delayed. Practice Ahimsa in its purest ...

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