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length of saying that why should one believing in the doctrine of Ahimsā eat anything at all, for the procuration and preparation of food of any sort whatsoever inevitably causes some sort of injury to some living beings; why should one take any medicine at all, for a medicine kills living moving bacteria which cause illness; and why should one breathe at all, for with every breath one inhales a number of living germs which are destroyed on entering the body. As has been said above, a householder's vow of Ahimsa goes only so far as it is practicable, in the varying circumstances of each individual case. But one must always exercise his intelligence in deciding for himself, in an honest manner. He must not under-estimate his own power of endurance, he must not entertain imaginary apprehensions. In short he must not deceive himself. He must act after due care and caution. And even a saint, observing the vow of Ahimsă, and the other vows, to the fullest extent, has of necessity to cause some sort of himsā, in movements of the body, in eating and drinking, breathing ; but that is unavoidable and by gradual spiritual advancement he reaches a stage when all movements of body, speech, and mind cease to be, and when full knowledge and self-realisation is acquired.
from Introduction to Puruşārtha Siddhyupāya
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