AHIMSA PARAMO DHARMAH
‘Non Violence Is the Supreme Virtue' Says Hinduism.
Seeing God in every living being, Hinduism inculcates a veneration for every
thing - Cows, ants etc. Even rivers are considered to be living beings, hence
venerated as also trees as vouched in the Sastras and expounded scientifically
by the great Indian Scientist J.C.BOSE.
This reverence is expressed in forms of 'Ahimsa' or nonviolence to animals as
well as humans and as a result, most pious Hindus are vegetarian. The word
'Ahimsa' is derived from the root "Han" to kill or 'To damage'. By adding the
negative prefix it means 'not to kill.
There are 4 aspects of this negative connotation.
1. Vegetarianism
2. Harmlessnes
3. Pacifism and
4. Passive resistance
On the positive aspect, it means compassion (i.e.) Actual assistance to all
living creatures who are in need.
1. Karuna (Intelligent charity)
2. Maitri (Active good deed) and
3. Daya (Tender sympathy)
are its other positive manifestations.
A doubt can arise whether the principle of 'Ahimsa' so loudly proclaimed is
not inconsistent with the sacrifice of goats, horses(in Aswamedha) etc.
referred to in the Vedas. No doubt, the Vedas did prescribe some animal
sacrifices; it even spoke of 'Purushamedha' a human sacrifice.
But, the concept should be viewed in the context in which they were so
prescribed. The Upanishads which came subsequently to analyze and explain the
Vedic texts lost no time in clarifying that these sacrifices were more
symbolic and allegorical than referring to the actual sacrifice of the animals
or human and that the effects of these sacrifices could be secured by
substitute materials like Gritha (Ghee), Masha (Black gram) and certain other
leafy vegetables. Even today, it may be observed that in the shradda
ceremonies, Ghee, Rice, Black gram and Thila (sesame seeds) are used, may be
as substitutes for the sacrifice of living beings. This view has been upheld
in subsequent recensions and sacrifice of living beings is prohibited by
Dharma as also by law.