Idea of Ahimsa and Asceticism in Ancient Indian Tradition

Author(s): Bansidhar Bhatt
Publisher: B J Institute

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THE IDEA OF AHMSA ....
The 5th chapter of the MS is of special interest, so far as the a himsa for all is concerned. Alsdorf has studied it specially for the theme of ahimsa and shown some structures in it (Alsdorf-1 pp.17 fol.; cf. Schmidt-1 p.626). In it, the first group of vss.525 gives a list of vegetables, and meat of different animals whether allowed or prohibited for all. This group has in fact noting to do with the strict a him sa ideal as such. But it is in line with the dharma sätras in general16. The second group of vss.2744 is not in line with the former group (see Wezler-1 p.117). Here the meat-eating is allowed and considered obligatory in the sacrifices. It is a divine rule (... daivo vidhih ... vs.31). Meat-eating is permitted when the meat is offered to the gods in worhip, and also to the pitrs (the dead) and the guests:
devan pitmś cârcayitva kha dan mamsam na dușyati // (vs.32).
As a general rule, man should not eat the meat at any time, unless he is in distress, or, it is enjoined in the Veda:
naveda-vihitam himsam apady api samacaret //(vs.43, cf.vs.39)
The animal offered in the sacrifice takes also along with itself the offerer to the highest state in the heaven.
..... paśün himsan ..... / . atmanam ca paśum caive gamayaty uttamam gatim // (vs.42).
A man eating meat on any other occasion save the sacrifices, is eaten by the same animal in the next world:
jagdva hy avidhina mamsam pretas tair adyate 'vaśaḥ 1/(vs.33)
The god Svayambha has created the animals for offering them in sacrifices, so killing them for the rituals is considered nonkilling (vss.39, 44; cf. MBH vana-parvan 3.199.5). Plants, cattle, trees, and other animals, birds, etc. attain higher existence, when they are killed for the sacrificial purposes (vs.40; see also above 2.a).
The third group of vss. 44-55 in the 5th chapter of the Manusmrti is again in contrast with the earlier two groups. Here
16. E.g. cf. BDS: 2.4.7, 6.2, 11.15, 12.8; ibid. 3.1.13, 4.1.- ADS: 1.17,
15,19; ibid. 2.17.26-18.3. - VDS: 14.12, etc. see Alsdorf-1 p.21 fn.3; Heesterman-R p.147; Wezler-1 p.117; Kane p.779.