A request and a disclaimer: Before you begin to read this blog, request you to first read the 3 parts of  ‘Stroke in the canvas called ‘The Value of Values’. You may also choose to read the two blogs on the values of  amAnitvam and adambhitvam, though they are not a prerequisite to reading this value.  The language and explanations used by pUjya swAmiji is so profound, that I wish I do justice by aligning my understanding to his explanation, as I parallelly try to relate it to day to day living.. Any error in the way I have blogged upon these values, is due to an error in my understanding alone.

ahimsA means not causing harm to anyone, be it by thought, word or action. The ‘anyone’ also includes oneself (in my view, as I strongly believe that whatever we bring in has to start with the self) as we do many times harm ourselves by thoughts, words or actions. 

The word ‘hims’ means to cause hurt, injury or harm; ‘a’ is the absence of something. ‘a’ combined with ‘hims’ becomes ahimsA (I guess that the ‘A’ added in the end is for easier pronunciation of the word).

This is one value (are there others also, I am not so sure, as I have not read much into the other values :-)) which I have been pondering over, for a few months now. Why, you may ask. There are many aspects in this value in my perspective. My own understanding of the different aspects need to happen before I can articulate in a blog, that reads well and remains coherent without digressing (which seems to be a tall order given the expanse of this particular value)

What is really ahimsA? Is it something that stands the same across time? across situations? across people? 

AhimsA is ‘Not deliberately and consciously hurting someone else, for our own benefit or priorities’. This is the spirit of ahimsA that remains the same, no matter the situation and perhaps one that we need to keep in our mind always. It needs to be interpreted differently from situation to situation. For me personally, the meaning of this as I have understood it now, doing quite some reading and contemplation to understand this value (which I think is just the tip of the iceberg) makes a lot of sense and answers the multitude of questions that I have always had whenever I came across this word. 

Certain instances where one causes hurt to another physically is not one that is considered to be himsA. This blog will not draw reference to them either. For example.,

– When a nurse / doctor / surgeon, take their tools to inject or to do a surgery that needs to be done, for our benefit.

– When a person in the army picks the gun / knife to protect themselves and the people of their nation, where they are fighting for a larger cause and for the benefit of the nation.

– When an individual is being sexually abused and takes to physical violence to protect themselves from the abuser. 

One aspect of ahimsA is that of vegetarianism where there is no consumption of flesh of animals or humans.  This is also one aspect that this blog will not refer to. 

What this blog intends to focus on is the aspect of ahimsA when we as individuals relate with ourselves and with one another. 

– Is it possible for one to always know that they are hurting someone else either by thought, word or action?

– Is it possible for one not to be aware of the fact that they are hurting someone else by their thought, word or action?

– When does one become aware that one is hurting others not for the benefit or priority of other but for their own benefit and priorities? 

– When does the aspect of ahimsA towards oneself happen?

– It is said that one has no control over thought and thought just occurs in us. So how does this become ahimsA?

– Is it possible for one to practise ahimsA with everyone and at all times? 

– If it is possible to practise ahimsA, with everyone and most of the time, how does one do it?

These are just a few questions (perhaps amongst many others) that the next couple of blogs will attempt to address, on the value of ahimsA.

Raising questions, seeking answers, drawing parallells to daily living – does it make things simpler or does it make things seem more complicated? Does it bring clarity or does it add to the confusion? As you mull this over in the next few days, I will also be back with the remaining parts of the blog on the value of ahimsA 🙂