Saturday, October 11, 2008

Whether Bhagavad Gita talks about Ahimsa (non-violence)?

Ahimsa (non-violence) is hailed in the Bhagavad Gita. It represents causing no injury to any living being at any point of time either by thought, speech or action.
Ahimsa (non-violence) is referred to directly in four places in the Bhagavad Gita.

1.Chapter X-5 mentions that non-violence emanates from the Supreme.

ahiḿsā samatā tuṣṭis tapo dānaḿ yaśo 'yaśaḥ
bhavanti bhāvā bhūtānāḿ matta eva pṛthag-vidhāḥ

2.Chapter XIII-8 indicates that non-violence is a Satvic quality

amānitvam adambhitvam ahiḿsā kṣāntir ārjavam
ācāryopāsanaḿ śaucaḿ sthairyam ātma-vinigrahaḥ

3.Chapter XVI- 2 praises that non-violence is a divine quality

svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam ahiḿsā satyam akrodhas
tyāgaḥ śāntir apaiśunam dayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaḿ

4.Chapter XVII-14 states that non-violence is an austerity (tapa).

deva-dvija-guru-prājña-pūjanaḿ śaucam ārjavam
brahmacaryam ahiḿsā ca śārīraḿ tapa ucyate