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## Refutation of Dukkhamochkatā and Cārvāka Philosophy
**Yogaśāstra, Second Light, Verses 20-22**
It can be inferred from reasoning. And by observing the actions that occur intelligently in one's own body, one should know the same in the bodies of others. Who can stop an action that is proven by evidence? Therefore, when the transmigration of the soul is also proven, then believing in the afterlife is not incongruous. In the same way, the acceptance of merit and demerit happens naturally. To call austerity a hardship, etc., is the statement of an unwise person, like the ravings of a madman. Why would it not be ridiculous to call the statement of such a conscious person self-created? Therefore, the soul is free from obstacles and stable, it is the nature of production and destruction, and it is the knower, the seer, the virtuous, the enjoyer, the doer, and the evidence of its own body. In this way, after the realization of the soul, it is not appropriate to commit violence. The avoidance of violence is called the vow of non-violence, which is the form of renunciation. || 19 || Now, to explain the rule of non-violence clearly, an example is given.
**Meaning**
|| 76 || **Ātmavat sarvabhūteṣu sukhaduḥkhe priyāpriye | Cintayan nātmano'niṣṭām hiṁsāmanyasya nācaret || 20 ||**
Just as one finds happiness pleasant and suffering unpleasant, so too, all beings find happiness pleasant and suffering unpleasant. Considering this, one should not commit violence, which is undesirable for oneself, towards others. || 20 ||
**Explanation:** Here, the word "happiness" should be understood to include the means of happiness such as food, water, garlands of flowers, sandalwood, etc., and the word "suffering" should be understood to include the means of suffering such as killing, binding, death, etc. The means of suffering are unpleasant for others just as they are for oneself; therefore, one should not engage in violence, etc. (actions that cause suffering). Here, happiness and suffering are explained as similar experiences through an example: just as one finds the means of happiness pleasant and suffering unpleasant, so too, all other types of beings find these things pleasant and unpleasant. Other scriptures also confirm this: "Listen to the essence of Dharma and hold it in your mind truthfully. Then, do not do to others what is contrary to your own soul." || 20 ||
Here, a doubt is raised: "If one commits an act forbidden by scripture, then one incurs blame. But here, the killing of living beings is forbidden, but the killing of stationary beings is not forbidden. Therefore, if a householder Śrāvaka willingly engages in the killing of stationary beings in any way, is there any blame?" To this, the following is the solution:
|| 77 || **Nirarthikām na kurvīt, jīveṣu sthāvareṣvapi | Hiṁsāhiṁsādharmājñaḥ, kāṅkṣan mokṣamupāsakaḥ || 21 ||**
A seeker of liberation (mumukṣu), a Śramaṇa devotee who knows the Dharma of non-violence, should not commit pointless violence even towards stationary beings. || 21 ||
**Meaning:**
**Explanation:** One should not commit pointless violence even towards beings (stationary beings) of earth, water, fire, air, and plants. Here, unnecessary violence for the sake of one's body and family is forbidden. In reality, a wise Śrāvaka does not commit pointless violence beyond the purpose of his body and family, etc. One who knows the Dharma of non-violence knows very well that the Dharma of non-violence is not limited to forbidden things; rather, there is also the Dharma of non-violence in the form of effort in things that are not forbidden. Therefore, understanding this Dharma well, he does not commit pointless violence even towards stationary beings without purpose. Therefore, to the doubt raised that why should a Śrāvaka act with such meticulous care regarding forbidden non-violence, it is said: a seeker of liberation, like a virtuous Śrāvaka, should never commit pointless violence. Here, another doubt is raised: "A person who is constantly eager to commit violence, even if he gives up all his wealth and even his life, still purifies himself from the sin of that violence. Then, what is the benefit of the suffering of giving up such violence?" || 21 ||
In response to this, it is said:
|| 78 || **Prāṇī prāṇitalobhena, yo rājyamapi muñcati | Tadvadhotthamagham sarvūrvidāne'pi na śāmyati || 22 ||**
This being, out of greed for life, even gives up his kingdom. The sin of violence arising from the killing of that being cannot be pacified (relieved from sin) even by giving away the entire earth. || 22 ||