Golden Steps To Salvation

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 73

59
This statement expresses the idea of the unity of all religions. When differences in respect of ideology, traditional and deep-rooted prejudices, religious fanaticism, mutual hatred and blind dogmatism are discarded, ahimsā or non-violence takes its place in human life. The true unification of all religions can take place only on the plane of non-violence and tolerance. When ahimsā is given the highest place, all prejudices, all animosities, all dissensions, automatically disappear. True mutual love appears. अहिंसा प्रतिष्ठायां तत्सन्निधौ वैरत्यागः ।।
-पातंजल योगसूत्र Ahimsā pratistayām tatsannidhau vairatyāgaḥ.
-Patanjala Yogsūtra) Even the creatures that are by nature wild and violent grow non-violent and mild in the presence of a person who is non-violent and whose life is governed by the principle of ahimsa or non-violence.
In Fnanarnava (a great book) this point is explained elaborately.
"In the shelter of a yogi (ascetic) who has discarded all passions and attained emotional equanimity and absolute detachment, even animals that hate each other live in unity, amity and felicity. A deer and a lion's cub love each other; a cow and a tiger's cub love each other; a cat and a tiny swan love each other; a peacock and a small snake love each other. They live like mothers and children. In the same manner in the presence of such a holy person all animals give up their natural inborn hatred and violence and live in peace and felicity."
This is the effect of non-violence. While he was in Africa, Gandhiji was returning home after having delivered a speech. An enemy followed him with a sharp knife. Mahathma Gandhi thinking that he was a bodyguard said to him, "Brother! Why, do you follow me with your knife to guard me? I wish to be protected by Bhagavathi ahimsā and certainly she will guard me. You