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basis to establish the regime of non-violence again by punishing or eliminating the violent or destructive personalities. Even the bhakti tradition claims empowerment from devotion to god. In fact there is empowerment from non violence as it is essential to be a non violent individual to qualify as a devotee or one who is dear to God. Pandit Tārā Chand Patni Jyotişācārya in his book'āiye sac ko jāne'has given several examples to prove this form the religious texts. Let us look at some of them.
Non violence in Vedic religion: Veda is the fundamental text of his tradition. It is the unique compilation of the sermons of ascetics/seers with high spiritual attainment and well versed with mantras. They have used the word Ahiṁsā in the form of a prayer. Ahiṁsā is extremely benefited. It establishes friendly relations with all and provides a sound basis of quality of all living beings. These seers say 'we sing/pray that we tread the path shown by a friend whether live or dead. Many our home be blessed with the company and comfort of a non violent friend? Complete details for this can be seen in Rgveda 5/64/3. People should protect others as a duty pariyatu vishvatah' Rgveda 6/75/14. May the world be blessed with complete peace. Brham, and all gods may bless everyone on the earth heaven and hell including vegetation kingdom. May the world be completely at peace? Yajurveda 36/17. O God! I may maintain equanimity and good feelings towards all, whether they are known to me or not. Atharva Veda 17/1/7.
This amply clarifies that the great sages (rşis) have not limited the vows of non violence just towards human beings but extended the same to all living beings. To emphasize the concept of friendship, they have indicated that non violence and friendship are two sides of the same coin. Without specifically mentioning the word non violence in the four Vedas, they have described the importance of non violence in the four Vedas, they have described the importance of non violence. After Vedas, Upanisiadas were written and compiled. The subjects/topics which could not be included or just described briefly in Vedas, maintains control over all his senses in the heart/mind, obeying the instructions given in the scriptures, and does not kill the living beings till he dies, will definitely attain the life in heavens and is never reborn in this world. 'Chhāndogyopanisada 80,8,15,1'. Sanātan Dharma also emphasized the importance of non violence. Similarly in Gītā, Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārat also speak of the benefits of non violence for the welfare of mankind. They further say that realization of spiritual beneficiation is not possible without the practice of non violence as existence of violence in the activities of mind body and speech prevents self realization.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
