Ahimsa (Non-Violence): In View of Indian Sages

Ahimsa: In the Light of the 'Mahabharat'

Ahimsa: In the Light of the ‘Mahabharat’

Pandavas - The Followers of Ahimsa

 It is mentioned in the Swapnodbhav Parv (Chapter) of the Mahabharat that during their period of exile in jungle hunting of wild animals was the main hobby of the Pandavas. Once the animals of Dwaitvan prayed to Yudhisthir in his dream that on account of the hunting of the heroic and brave Pandavas only one from each of their species is left living, their species faced the danger of total extinction, so the Pandavas should change their place of stay. Yudhisthir honouring their wishes and prayers moved towards Kamyak Van. According to the views of the writers of Smritis it was heinous violence but the Pandavas did not commit sin. The sinners according to the provisions of celestial law used to be sentenced to live in Hell. But strangely enough the Pandavas enjoyed the blissful Supreme Abode of the Heaven.

 There is another example mentioned in the sub part of Aadiparv connected with Khandav-fire. Once Lord Krishna and Arjun were sitting on the bank of Yamuna river near Indraprasth, Agnideo, god of fire, appeared before them in disguise of a Brahmin and prayed for alms. Arjun asked, “O Vipravar! What kind of alms would you like to have?” He replied, “I am not common Brahmin. I am god of fire (Agni). My digestive power (Jatharagni) has become weak. There are such herbs in the Khandav forest which can recharge it. Arjun asked, “Has anyone any objection if you devour the whole forest region?”

The god of fire replied, “I attempted to do it but Indra, the king of gods extinguishes fire every time by rains of his water.” Arjun expressed his curiosity to know why did he do it? Agnideo replied, “One of his friends named Takshak (cobra) lives here. So he behaves like this.” Arjun gave assurances to Agni. As a result of this the whole forest region turned into flames. All the creatures living there started fleeing helter-skelter. Agnideo requested Arjun to see that no animal escaped. (A meal without sauce and pickles becomes tasteless) Arjun started killing the escaping animals and birds. The tail of a she-cobra was severed by his arrows. The pregnant she-cobra gave birth to a cobra which escaped anyhow. It was the same cobra which later on tried to take his revenge from Arjun in the battle field through Karna. There was an Asur (demon) who prayed Lord Krishna for shelter which he granted. Indra tried to extinguish the fire by his rains but Arjun by his divine arrows checked them and thus thwarted his attempts. After fully feeding himself Agnideo became very pleased. He presented to Arjun a divine chariot, an inhaustible quiver and a divine bow. It is really a point for serious thought that the innumerable creatures, insects, birds etc. which lived in that forest region were killed with the active help of Arjun in the very presence of the Lord Himself, still Arjun was not prevented by Him from committing such heinous violent acts. On the contrary He too fully cooperated with Arjun in perpetrating such a Himsa (violence) on such a large scale.

 If Himsa (violence) was irreligious, Arjun should have been sent to Hell. On the contrary Lord Krishna Himself stood for his protection as his charioteer. He rather exhorted him that he was merely an instrument and he had only to kill all those who were already killed by the Lord Himself -‘Nimitt Matram Bhav Savyasachin’He assured him of his victory which did happen.

 Every time the Pandavas faced trouble, God stood at their back. It is mentioned in the Ajgar Parv of the Vanparv that once Bheem, who was out for hunting did not return till the fall of evening. Yudhisthir said, “I feel ill omens, my left arm vibrates. Everyone is here except Bheem. It seems he is in trouble.” He instantly move out in search of Bheem alongwith Maharshi Dhaumya.

 Although it is difficult to locate anyone in the dense forest, still Bheem could be traced out because hundreds of buffaloes, lions, rhinoceros and elephants were groaning with pain, injured by the blows and assaults of Bheem. Some of them had even died. Hundreds of trees were lying uprooted. Following these signs and foot-steps Yudhisthir reached a place where Bheem was lying unconscious as he was coiled around by a python. This python was actually King Nahush who was undergoing the impact of curses and passing his days in the form of a python. Yudhisthir explained to Nahush the true interpretation of the term ‘Vipra’ and freed him from the curse. Thus we see that the Pandavas loved hunting. If killing of others is a sinful act, why then God always stood for their protection? All the improbable vows of the Pandavas were fulfilled by the benign blessing of God. For example, God fulfilled the vow of Arjun to kill Jayadrath who was under the protection of the divine boon.

 Once Bheem took a dreadful vow to break with his club, the thigh of Duryodhan because he had patted his thigh prompting Draupadi to sit on it. When the vow was taken, Duryodhan was an ordinary human being of flesh and bones but when the time of taking revenge came, he had been converted into a hard impenetrable being by the look of Gandhari. Only his thigh perchance had supernatural remained vulnerable and it remained so under the inspiration of Lord Krishna. It was really very difficult to conquer Duryodhan who was superior on account of hard regular military exercises. Through Arjun, Krishna incited Bheem to remember his vow. The vow was thus fulfilled. Had the whole body of Duryodhan been converted into Bajra, was there any possibility of the fulfillment of the vow? To conclude, if killing is Himsa (as mentioned in the Smritis) why then God provided His patronage to the Pandavas whose whole life was full of violence.

 Abhimanyu was killed in the battle-field. The army of the Pandavas started retreating weeping and bemoaning the loss. Yudhisthir, the symbol of Dharm, without losing his poise exhorted, “O Valiant heroes! Don’t grieve for the death of Abhimanyu, because Abhimanyu had slaughtered ten thousand crowned princes and thereby has earned holy reputation. (Is it holy or unholy act?) Thousands of valiant charioteers could not suffer the brilliant glow of Abhimanyu and were found fleeing from the battle-field. He had killed thousands of horse-riders and earned holy virtues. As a result of his moral deeds he has gone to the world of holy virtuous beings. He is present in the heaven. Do not grieve for him. Get up! and behave like brave persons, demonstrate your valour and you too move to Heaven.” The fleeing army returned and again the battle started. Is the killing of living beings sin leading to hell or holy virtue leading to Heaven? Lord Krishna took Arjun who was down with grief for the death of his son, to divine worlds where Abhimanyu was seen occupying divine throne.

 The above anecdotes also depict clearly that Heaven is not some where in the sky. Yudhisthir, who was called the ‘King of Dharm’, ascended to Heaven with his corporeal body. For heaven one has not to worship gods or goddesses with closed eyes. The heaven is easily accessible to those who die valiant death in the battle-field but there the thoughts of gaining the material world remain dominant. According to the saying that‘Anta Mati so Gati’(as the thoughts at the time of death, so is the future birth) if they attain glory and opulence, it is not surprising.

 The other path to attain heavenly bliss is through following of prescribed action. In the Geeta, the Lord Krishna says, “People aspiring for heaven worship Me and I grant it to them. Generally blessings for material pleasures exhaust after the indulgence in the worldly enjoyments but My devotee who constantly remains linked with Me never decays.” So for worldly opulence and supreme self-realisation, worship of only one God is required. Ahimsa is one of the higher stages of Bhajan (worship), so the Mahabharat declares-

 ‘Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah’Ahimsa leadsto the divine world of the Supreme Being.

!! OM !!