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INTRODUCING JAINISM
non-violence (ahimsā) and many more ethical doctrines are found. But the Jains emphasize the doctrine of non-violence in a more vigorous way than the Buddhists. Because of the non-killing, Jainism lays stress far more on asceticism and all manner of cult exercises than Buddhism.
(iii) Ahimsa in the Hindu scriptures
In the Hindu scriptures ahimsa is also eulogised. Though it is true to say that himsa in connection with sacrifice is not himsā at all, it is ahimsā, and the mandate of Manu is often quoted for that:
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yajñārtham pasavaḥ sṛṣṭāḥ svayam eva svayambhuvā/ yajñasca bhūtyai sarvasya tasmād yajñe vadho' vadhah// [V. 39]
"Svayambhu (the Self-existent) himself created animals for the sake of sacrifice; sacrifices (have been instituted) for the good of this whole (world); hence the slaughtering (of beasts) for sacrifices is not slaughtering (in the ordinary sense of the word)."
The Mimāmsakas also hold this view. But the Sankhya disagrees with this opinion. Despite the fact that for sacrificial purposes the killing of animals is not despised, Manu in general has described the excellence of ahimsā. In his opinion non-killing is a quality which is to be inculcated by all :
indriyānām nirodhena rāga-dveṣa-kṣayena ca/ ahimsayā ca bhūtānām amṛtatvāya kalpate// [VI. 60]
"By the restraint of his senses, by the destruction of attachment and hatred, and by the abstention from injury to the creatures, he becomes fit for immortality."
(iii) Ahimsa in the Mahabharata
(The story of Jajali and Tulādhāra)
Jain Education International
Ahimsa is also eulogised in the various parts of the Mahābhārata. In the Vanaparva (III) a long conversation between Draupadi, Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhima was made on ethical questions in which Draupadi praises the doctrine of
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