Non Violence

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

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Ahimsa
If a non-violent person were to fire an arrow at someone, his victim would not bleed. In contrast, a violent man would cause bleeding in the person, even if he were to throw a flower at him. Neither the arrow nor the flower is itself 'effective', but it is the intent behind the act that is 'effective'. This is why my constant intent is that no one should be hurt in the slightest manner by my speech, my thoughts and my conduct. And my words and speech flows from this very intent. It is not the arrow, nor the flower, nor anything else for that matter that yields an effect, it is the intent that yields effect.
Akram Vignan states that a person should not use even his thoughts as a weapon. So how can anyone use any other weapons? How can I wield any weapon against other life forms when I have never once resorted to using even my thoughts as a weapon against even the smallest of life form? At times I am given to speak a little harshly, but such harshness is like the subtle difference between raw and refined silk. Such speech only comes out very rarely. I have never used my speech as a weapon nor have I ever used my thoughts in that way.
I have never used my mind as a weapon against even the smallest of life forms. Even if a scorpion were to sting me, I would not raise any weapon against it. By stinging me, the scorpion would be fulfilling its obligation, without which there would be no liberation for me. I can assure you that I have not used my mind as a weapon against any living being. Although it is the nature of the mind to retaliate, I assure you that I have not used it in this way.
Questioner: You must have realized that there is no use for this weapon of the mind.
Dadashri: Yes. A weapon is of no use at all. The
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thought that a weapon might be necessary has never crossed my mind. Since the day I laid down the 'sword', I have not picked it up again. I would not pick it up even if my opponent had a sword. This is the path one will ultimately have to come to. Those who find this world burdensome and want to break free from it will have to travel this very path: no other paths are available.
One simply has to master Ahimsa in order to accomplish everything else. The power of Ahimsa is such that even a lion and a lamb will stand side by side at the waterhole.
Questioner: Was it like that during the time of the
Tirthankaras?
Dadashri : Yes. One cannot even describe what it was like during those times. If the world understood even a single sentence of these Tirthankaras, it would have sanctified it and put it into practice. Unfortunately, the world did not comprehend the message behind those words, and furthermore, no one is around to explain.
Questioner: Dada, but you are here.
Dadashri : How much sound will my little flute create?
The Power Of The Gnani's Ahimsa
How does the Gnani Purush deal with the world? He is so non-violent in his worldly dealings that even the most ferocious tiger would become pacified and shy away from him. Such is the power of Ahimsa. The world has already witnessed the effects of violence through people like Hitler and Stalin. Just look at the outcome, everything came to an end; nothing lasted.