Idea of Ahimsa and Asceticism in Ancient Indian Tradition

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

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THE IDEA OF AHIMSA ....
those sa midhs - wood - for the fire which are already fallen on the ground (see above 2.b). They should not cut them directly from the trees. ADS. (2.9.22.13) instructs not to best water while bathing oneself, since it hurts the water (Schmidt-1. p.639; cf. Schmithausen-1. p.72). Even corn or grain when thrashed, or ground, or husked for sacrificial cakes are considered injured'. Keith has observed the Vedic fire worship as animistic in nature (Keith. p.38). We have noticed sentient character of plants and trees in the Bhrgu-Varuna legend of the SB. (above 2.a). Other elements like water also possess souls. The Manusmrti instructs to drink water after it is strained so that small insects in it may not be injured, e.g.
... ... vastra-patam jalam pibet / (6.46)
The commentator Kullaka explains this that: jaleșu kşudra-jantv-adi-varanårtham vastra-sodhitam pibet. (p. 236)
jalam
In some texts it is restricted to spit on, or to pass urine into water (cf. BDS. 2.6.11.24; Schmidt-1. p.637; Schmithausen-1. p.52).
(b) Jainism :
Similarly, according to Jainism, all animals, plants and also other elements like earth, water, fire and air possess innumerable souls (Bhatt-2. pp.139 fol. on chaj-jiva-nikayas; Doctrine. SS 104 fol., cf. Schmitha usen-1. pp.3-4), Jaina monks and nuns avoid even beating and bathing themselves with water, using a fan, because of such activities, are injured watersouls, air-souls, etc. Jaina monks and nuns do not drink, therefore, normal fresh water without getting it boiled by laypersons (see above 4.g; cf. Bruhn. p.38: lines 18-26). This will be examined below in course of our discussion.
So also it is believed in Jainism that plants (vanassai) possess souls, they, like other living beings are by nature, born, grow old, possess consciousness (citta), and wither when wounded, or injured when cut, they subsist on food, so explains the Ayo ara, e.g. 4. See above; - also Wezler-3. p.474, fn.68; and W.Slaje:
"BewuBtsein und Wahrnehmugsvermogen von Pflanzen aus hinduistischer Sicht" (in: “Umwelt" - Symposium, Graz 1989, pp.
149-169).