Harmlessness/ahimsa

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>From Patanjali's _Yoga Sutras_, the verse on ahimsa, harmlessness or

non-violence

 

II.35

 

AHIMSA PRATISTHAYAM TAT SAMNIDHAU VAIRA TYAGAH.

 

Ahimsa = non-violence; pratishthayam = having

established; tat = in his; samnidhau = presence;

vaira = hostility; tyagah given up.

 

In the presence of one firmly established in

non-violence, all hostilities cease.

-(translation by Satchidananda)

 

In the presence of him who has perfected

harmlessness, all enmity ceases.

-(translation by Djwhal Kuhl)

 

Starting with this thirty-fifth Sutra, Patanjali covers the ten virtues

one by one. When the vow of ahimsa is established in someone, all enmity

ceases in his or her presence because that person emits harmonious

vibrations. If two people who have enmity between them come to such a

person, they will temporarily forget it. That is the benefit of ahimsa.

When it is practiced continuously in thought, word and deed for some time,

the entire personality brings out those vibrations.

Even wild animals forget their nature of causing pain in the presence

of one established in ahimsa. In ancient Hindu mythology, it states that in

the forests where the saints and sages lived practicing ahimsa, the animals

would only kill when they were hungry. At other times, a cow and a tiger

could drink water side by side. Lord Buddha cultivated this practice.

Wherever he went he brought peace, harmony and friendliness. St. Francis is

another great example of this. Mahatma

Gandhi tried his best to practice and propagate ahimsa, bringing many

people together. Of course, there were failures in his efforts, but he

would admit, "I am still trying. I am still not that perfect." His entire

life was based on the vows of ahimsa and satya. Even without obtaining one

hundred percent perfection in them, he earned a great name throughout the

world as an apostle of peace. Perhaps if Gandhi's practice had been

perfected, his assassin might have forgotten the idea of shooting Gandhi

when he came into Gandhi's presence. So, even with a little perfection,

Gandhi was admired and revered by the entire world. Even a bit of ahimsa is

enough to elevate us to a higher state.

- Satchidananda

 

This sutra demonstrates to us the working out of a great law. In Book

IV. Sutra 17, Patanjali tells us that the perception of a characteristic,

of a quality and of an objective form is dependent upon the fact that in

the perceiver similar characteristics, qualities and objective capacity are

to be found. This similarity is the basis of perception. The same truth is

hinted at in the first Epistle of St. John where the words are found "We

shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is." Only that can be

contacted which is already present or partially present in the perceiver's

consciousness. If enmity and hatred are therefore to be found by the

perceiver, it is because in him the seeds of enmity and hatred are present.

When they are absent naught but unity and harmony exists. This is the first

stage of universal love, the practical endeavour on the part of the

aspirant to be at one with all beings. He begins with himself and sees to

it that the seeds of harmfulness in his own nature are eradicated. He

deals, therefore, with the cause which produces enmity towards him and

others. The natural result is that he is at peace and others are at peace

with him. In his presence even wild beasts are rendered impotent and this

by the condition of the mind-state of the aspirant or yogin.

- A.A. Bailey & D.K.