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Non-Violence

Non-violence refers to the practice of abstaining from harm or aggression. Across traditions, there is convergence on the importance of compassion and empathy. Traditions diverge in their approaches and interpretations, offering unique perspectives on non-violence.

483 quotes

Across traditions

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Quotes

The mind does not become tranquil until it is connected to the ever-peaceful Supreme Being.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji
UniversalTeachingHarmonyInner Peace
Gurdev Hardev Part 2, p. 134
nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peace, freedom from slander, compassion for all beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, and steadiness;
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् | दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ||१६-२||
Krishna
HinduTeachingNon ViolenceVirtuesSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 16.2
These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me, Krishna, not even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for the earth.
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन | अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ||१-३५||
Arjuna
HinduTeachingNon ViolenceCompassionSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 1.35
It would be better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me, unresisting and unarmed, in the battle.
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः | धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ||१-४६||
Arjuna
HinduTeachingGriefNon ViolenceSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 1.46
Therefore we ought not to kill Dhritarashtra's sons, our own kinsmen; for how could we be happy, Madhava, after killing our own people?
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् | स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ||१-३७||
Arjuna
HinduTeachingNon ViolenceCompassionSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 1.37
Austerity, charity, uprightness, non-violence, and truthful speech—these are his sacrificial gifts.
अथ यत्तपो दानमार्जवमहिꣳसा सत्यवचनमिति ता अस्य दक्षिणाः
HinduTeachingNon ViolenceTruthSanskrit
Chandogya Upanishad 3.17.4
Worship of the gods, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, uprightness, celibacy, and nonviolence — this is called austerity of the body.
देवद्विजगुरुप्राज्ञपूजनं शौचमार्जवम् | ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसा च शारीरं तप उच्यते ||१७-१४||
Krishna
HinduTeachingNon ViolencePuritySanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 17.14
Forgiveness, courage, non-violence, equanimity, truth, sincerity, knowledge, charity, and renunciation are said to be the characteristics of the path that arises from goodness.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingForgivenessKnowledgeSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 5580
The one who practices non-violence develops cosmic love to the highest degree. The practice of non-violence eventually leads to the realization of one's true self or the unity of the Self.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingHarmonyLove
All About Hinduism, p. 38
The one established in non-violence can move the whole world. In their presence, all hostilities vanish; even natural enemies like lions and cows, cobras and mongooses live together peacefully.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingHarmonyNon Violence
All About Hinduism, p. 37
A man endowed with sattva is quiet and peaceful.
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
HinduTeachingHarmonyModesty
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 538
This is what Brahma told to Prajapati, Prajapati to Manu, and Manu to his descendants. Having studied the Veda in the proper way in a teacher's house, in the time left over from his duties to the teacher; having then returned home and settled in a household, continuing his study of the sacred texts in a clean place; raising righteous children; withdrawing all his senses into the Self; and refraining from harming any creature except at the appointed places of sacrifice — one who lives in this way throughout his life reaches the world of Brahman and does not return again — yes, he does not return again.
तधैतद्ब्रह्मा प्रजापतयै उवाच प्रजापतिर्मनवे मनुः प्रजाभ्यः आचार्यकुलाद्वेदमधीत्य यथाविधानं गुरोः कर्मातिशेषेणाभिसमावृत्य कुटुम्बे शुचौ देशे स्वाध्यायमधीयानो धर्मिकान्विदधदात्मनि सर्वैन्द्रियाणि सम्प्रतिष्ठाप्याहिꣳसन्सर्व भूतान्यन्यत्र तीर्थेभ्यः स खल्वेवं वर्तयन्यावदायुषं ब्रह्मलोकमभिसम्पद्यते न च पुनरावर्तते न च पुनरावर्तते
HinduTeachingLiberationNon ViolenceSanskrit
Chandogya Upanishad 8.15.1
All forms of life have equal right to the air of maya. The saint who uncovers the secret of creation will be in harmony with nature's countless bewildering expressions. All men may approach that understanding who curb the inner pride.
Paramahansa Yogananda
HinduTeachingHumilityNon Violence
Autobiography of a Yogi 17
The five forms of self-restraint, or Yamas, in Yoga Philosophy are: non-violence in thought, word, and deed, truthfulness, abstinence from sexual indulgence, deprivation of all possessions, and non-stealing.
करम बचन मन छारि छलु जब लगि जनु न तुम्हार, तब लगि सुखु सपनेहु नही किए कोइ उपचार
Tulsidas
HinduTeachingHonestyMaterialismSanskrit
Ramcharitmanas — Ayodhya Kand Part 4 (verses 501–563), p. 60
It is the greatest virtue not to abandon one's wife, as love is a great blessing, and Mahesh does not say anything against it, as it is more peaceful for the heart.
परम पुनीत न जाइ तजि किए प्रेम बर पापु, प्रगै न कहत महेसु कछु हृदय अधिक संतापु
Tulsidas
HinduTeachingGraceHarmonySanskrit
Ramcharitmanas — Bal Kand Part 1 (verses 1–97), p. 67
Controlling the mind, the five self-restraints (non-violence, truth, not stealing, self-control, and not accumulating wealth), and the five religious vows (purity, contentment, austerity, studying sacred texts or repeating the Divine Name, and surrendering to God) are like the flowers of these climbing plants.
Tulsidas
HinduTeachingContentmentKnowledgeSanskrit
Ramcharitmanas — Bal Kand Part 1 (verses 1–97), p. 49
Joy, satisfaction, nobility, enlightenment, and happiness are present, along with generosity, fearlessness, contentment, faith, forgiveness, courage, non-violence, balance, truth, and straightforwardness. The absence of anger, malice, and the presence of purity, intelligence, and strength are also characteristic of goodness.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingContentmentEnlightenmentSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 5557
King Yudhishthira now rules the earth without a rival, thanks to the strength of Bhimasena and the twin brothers. It was through righteousness alone that the king was able to reclaim his kingdom, free from enemies, and it was through the power of righteousness that King Suyodhana was killed in battle. The wicked sons of Dhritarashtra, who were greedy, rude, and unrighteous, have been defeated along with their followers. Now, the king, the son of Dharma and the lord of the earth, peacefully enjoys his entire kingdom with your help, and I, too, have been spending my time pleasantly in your company, surrounded by nature.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingDevoteeGratitudeSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 5494
The person who assures all creatures of perfect harmlessness and innocence, and is free from malice, becomes righteous.
Mahadeva
HinduTeachingNon ViolenceRighteousnessSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 5361
The person who, for their own happiness, kills harmless creatures with the rod of punishment, will never attain happiness in the next world.
Vrihaspati
HinduTeachingAttainmentHappinessSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 5284