In Sanskrit, the word for violence is ‘Himsa’, which is causing injury or harm to others. The alphabet "a" placed before the word, negates it. Thus assuming, ‘Ahimsa’ is abstaining oneself from causing any type of harm to others, whether physical, emotional or mental. It is very surprising to know that ‘Nonviolence’ only speaks about the most extreme forms of wrongdoing, while ‘Ahimsa’ goes much deeper to prohibit the subtle abuse and the simple hurt. Thus, Ahimsa is referred to as wisdom and certainly not cowardice, and this ‘wisdom’ is referred to as the cumulative knowledge of the existing divine laws of reincarnation, karma, dharma, the all-pervasiveness and sacredness of things, blended together within the psyche or soul of the Hindu. (H.H. Gurudeva Sivaya Subramuniyaswami at the Institute for Peace at the University of Hawaii)
The roots of ahimsa (peace of nonviolence) are found in the Vedas, Agamas, Upanishads, Dharma Shastras, Tirumurai, Yoga Sutras and many other essential and sacred texts of Hinduism. The knowledge of these scriptures is developed from the concept of Nature and peace. The teachings of these scriptures are universal. That is why Hinduism is not bounded in any certain geographical, racial, national and ethnical boundary – it is universal! A verse from Patanjali Yoga Sutras:
“By cultivating attitudes of friendliness towards the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous and disregard towards the wicked, the mind stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.” (Patanjali Yoga Sutras – Book I verse33).
A view based on suffering and pain is seen in Tirukural. Two thousand years ago South India's weaver saint Tiruvalluvar said it so simply,
"All suffering recoils on the wrongdoer himself. Therefore, those who desire not to suffer refrain from causing others pain." This verse tells that the Hindu is eventually convinced by the belief that violence committed by an individual will return to him/her by a cosmic process that is accurate and definite (unerring).
The Vedic Seers prayed for ‘Peace on the Earth, peace on the sky and also peace in Heavens emphasizing that there is gravitational relation among the different objects of this universe and in turn are interdependent. They wished peace for all the creatures, region, country, earth and to the whole universe. A person enriched with the universal qualities contributes to the welfare of one’s society leading to world peace. In fact, virtues of individuals are the foundation of world peace.
Mainly Upanishads are concerned with the truth of the world. It focuses in the ultimate unity of all realities. It is more concerned with harmony and peace. Man cannot be at peace without conquering the divisions and diversity in the society.
Shanthi mantras are the prayers of peace, in Hindu mythology, also called ‘Peace Mantras,’ which are a part of Upanishads. These Mantras end with the words ‘Shanthi’ (peace). The reason behind this is to cool the surroundings and remove the obstacles in the three realms namely, Physical or Adhi Bhautika, Devine or Adhi Daivika and Internal or Adhyaatmika. Belief exists that all obstacles are removed and these three realms are pacified!! The chanting of 'Om Shanthi' is, thus a practice prescribed in Hinduism like the numerous rituals that are pointers to peace which is the very nature of oneself.A Shanthi Mantra from the Taittiriya, Katha, Shvetashvatara Upanishads:
“Saha navata, sahanau bunaktu, Saha navavatu saha nau bhunaktu Saha viryam karavavahai tejasvi nava teeda mastu, mavid visamahe, om shanthi, shanthi, shanthihi”
(Let all of us enjoy together; May all of us work together and let our study become radiant. Let there be no hatred between us. Peace, Peace, Peace!)
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