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XXIII
NON-VIOLENCE
All religions and philosophies of the world have deliberately weighed non-violence, some partially and others like Jainism in depth. It transcends time and clime since it concerns mankind. There is no life worth the name without non-violence. Jainismregards the world as beginningless and so is non-violence. Life and non-violence are integrally related. There is no culture in its absence. It is the very basis of all religions.
The Vedas are the products of the seers of yore. The sage prays for harmonious relations with all, praying-Let the good friend's company bless our home'. Love and friendship with all is its quintessence. The sage implores Varuna to forgive their faults if they should have ill-treated their friends, companions, neighbours-known and unknown. Mankind can make no progress in the absence of amity. No difference should separate us and we must all act in unison. There are prayers for peace to prevail in all worlds. Let water, herbs, plants, gods and all rest in peace. Rgveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda all contain the wish for perfect concord. Non-violence and friendliness are obverse and revrse of the same coin.
The Upanisadas elaborate non-violence in all its ramifications. The sage in Chandogyopaniṣad says " He who studies the Veda, posits all senses in his inner self, acts up to the scriptural texts, injures none throughout his life attains salvation".
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In the very same Upanisada 'penance, charity, simplicity, nonviolence and truth are the honorarium for spiritual sacrifice'. Aranikopanisada and Prāṇagnihotropaiṣada declare that non-violence, compassion, peace and other such qualities make up for the deficiency of the wife of one offering sacrifice to the fire. The purpose of sacrifices the inculcation of non-violence. Sondilya says, that non-violence is first among ten restraints of passion. In case violence permeates life, there is no chance of self-realization. The Smrtis are also all praise for non- violence. Manu says, "Never do unto others what is unpleasant to you". He further says, "A person performs horse-sacrifice for a hundred years and the other abjures meat. Both are equally meritorious. The discipline of non-violence is essential for the good of sentient beings. A mendicant attains salvation by self-control, absetion from love and hate and the observance of non
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