You may have heard of ahimsa in yoga class, but have no idea what this ancient Sanskrit word means. Ahimsa is a Sanskrit word meaning non-harm or non-violence. Some people also refer to it as “compassion.” However, when a yoga teacher talks about non-killing, they don’t just mean “harmless” in the simplest sense, which means not harming any body. In contrast, the concept of ahimsa is much more complex and far-reaching.
Ahimsa is the supreme duty. Even if we cannot fully practice it, we must try to understand its spirit and avoid violence as much as possible. Mahatma Gandhi
It includes non-violence towards all living beings and things including ourselves. It extends to the way we think, behave and even eat. In a way, ahimsa is more about intention than the resulting action. Ahimsa is a central concept in yoga philosophy. Understanding Ahimsa is important if you want to move your practice off the mat and into the wider world.
Sanskrit etymology
Sanskrit etymology
The word ahimsa is Sanskrit (अहिंसा), derived from the word himsa. In Sanskrit, himsa means “violence” or “injury”. Adding the prefix “A-” makes ahimsa the opposite of violent or hurtful. Ahimsa is a well known word and concept in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In every spiritual tradition, however, the word ahimsa has similar meanings: kindness, compassion, and non-harm.
history of ahimsa
history of ahimsa
Ahimsa is a complex concept that has undergone significant changes and developments over the years. In fact, it continues to develop to this day.
The earliest written mention of Ahimsa is found in the Vedas around 1500-500 BC. However, the knowledge in Vedas was transmitted orally many years ago. These are ancient and sacred Indian texts. In these texts, Ahimsa is introduced along with the concept of karma. Karma shows that all energies in the universe are in balance. Or, in modern terms, for every action there is an equal and opposite energetic response. So, for example, if you were to hurt someone else, that same hurt would eventually come back to you. This can be avoided by practicing non-violence or non-violence.
For hundreds of years, ahimsa has been largely associated with not killing other living things. This is actually the main reason most Indians are vegetarian. Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism support the idea of ahimsa by promoting vegetarianism, or ahimsa. Jainism goes a step further, suggesting that destroying the existence of insects as germs can be considered violence.
In the 1900s, Ahimsa was brought into a political movement by Mahatma Gandhi. Many are familiar with Gandhi’s pacifist movement, which liberated India from British rule through peaceful protests. At the heart of Gandhi’s philosophy was ahimsa, or non-violence.
An eye for an eye blinds the whole world. Mahatma Gandhi
This saying is known all over the world but takes on new depth when you understand the Ahimsa philosophy behind it. Through the peaceful protests led by Gandhi, the power of Ahimsa became evident not only personally but also politically.
Ahimsa in the Vedas: History of the Sadhu and the Serpent
Ahimsa in the Vedas: History of the Sadhu and the Serpent
As mentioned earlier, Ahimsa is mentioned for the first time in the Vedas. In particular, there is an excerpt discussing ahimsa through the fable of the fakir and the snake. A fakir is a nomadic monk. The fakir travels through a village where he discovers a snake terrorizing the villagers. He taught the snake not to kill, and the snake vowed to practice not to kill and stop terrorizing the villagers.
A year later, the ascetic walked through the village again, only to find the snake emaciated, frightened, and dying. The snake told the ascetic that although he was not violent towards the villagers, the villagers discovered his weakness and started throwing stones at the snake and mocking him, preventing him from foraging. The sadhu then tells the snake that while ahimsa means non-violence, that doesn’t mean you can’t “hiss” or stand up for yourself and protect yourself with compassion and love. Ahimsa is often associated with other people and animals, but this story highlights the importance of practicing ahimsa to yourself.
ahimsa in yoga sutras
ahimsa in yoga sutras
Although Ahimsa has a long and growing history, it is best known as the first of the five Yamas. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are key texts in yoga, outlining the eight branches of yoga. These limbs are an integral part of yoga practice, especially Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga. The eight branches of yoga are much broader than the physical (asana) practices often emphasized in the West. Specifically, Yamas are the first of eight limbs. Therefore, as the first precept, abiding by killing is the first thing to be practiced in yoga.
Yamas are the ethical principles of how a yogi should interact with and live in the world. The other Yamas are Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (purity) and Aparigraha (non-attachment). When ahimsa is practiced along with these principles along with the other eight branches of yoga, the yogi will find peace and move closer to enlightenment.
The method of practicing non-killing
The method of practicing non-killing
There are many ways to practice ahimsa. Various ahi-killing movements throughout history have highlighted different aspects of ahi-killing, such as: B. Their contributions to vegetarianism or political initiatives. Practicing ahimsa essentially means living, thinking and acting in a non-violent way towards yourself and everything and everyone around you.
True ahimsa should mean complete freedom from malice, anger and hatred, and love for all.