Idea of Ahimsa and Asceticism in Ancient Indian Tradition

SR No.: 006748
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bansidhar Bhatt
Publisher: B J Institute
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 108
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 5 MB

Page 75

THE IDEA OF AHIMSA ....
bhamim bhami-sayams caiva hanti kāṣṭham ayo-mukham / (MS. 10.84 MBH. 12.254.44)2
66
The earth when dug is believed to be hurt. Some brahmin householders adopted their means of subsistence following the ahimsika-vṛtti in which they obtained husked rice and seeds, since it is believed that they are devoid of life, e.g.
tuṣa-vihinamas tandulan icchati sajjanebhyo bijani va / (BDS. 3.2.13)
H. P. Schmidt suggests tușa-vihina to be construed with bija also, so that it carries a proper sense (Schmidt-1. p.635, fn.5). Wezler interprets it in three ways. Actually the word rice in husk - in the form of paddy - is in Sanskrit: vrihi (or sati ?) which is called dågar (etymology uncertain, probably : kadam-kara ?), but the husked corn of rice is called cokho (probably from the desya word: cokkho pure, clear) in Gujarat. The husked rice is called also tãdul - in a strict sense, it is used particularly for rice-flakes in the Sauraṣṭra area of Gujarat. But, tādu! which is tādļa also in Gujarati language is probably a different corn. It is yellow in colour and small and round like a sesamum seed. The tadla in husk is called: jhino cano/cino ( a very tiny round grain, probably from : ciņaka?) in Gujarat, and is yellow in colour and extremely smooth and shining. - Whatever it may be, husked or unhusked rice is capable of germination. Some cereals, e.g. barley (yava) or oats are "injured" or "killed" and no longer viable when they are mechanically husked, but it is not the case for the corns like wheat (go-dhama) or rye and some other seeds which are used as eatables in India. Therefore, the passage in question cited above would mean :
--
(i) tușa-vihina are bijas and tandulas: seeds and rice, both "killed" by being husked, or,
(ii) tușa-vihina are tandulas: rice corns are "killed" by being husked, and seeds - it may be implied that they are also "killed" by whatever means,
or,
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(iii) rice "killed" by being husked, and seeds, whether they are animate - capable of germination or not, such rice and seeds are allowed in food. Again, the type of cereals like rice is "killed" when crushed in a mortar. Such idea is intended in the
2. Cf. also: BDS. 1.5.10.30 and 3. 1-2; Mait.Sam. 3.2.3; Schmithausen1. p.47, fn. 275.