Mahatma Gandhi’s main weapon in his life was non-violence. His Satyagraha was based on truthfulness, non-violence and Sarvodaya (welfare for all).

Non-violence is also the fundamental ‘vrat’ or ‘discipline’ observed in Jainism. Even killing of insects is considered violence in Jainism.

As per Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, non-violence must be in the thoughts, speech and actions. Vedanta knowledge also talks about non-violence in their teachings Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

The principles of non-violent communications are also based on observations, feeling, not judgmental and request (not order).  The 3 Cs of non-violent communication are do not criticize, condemn and complaint.

Violent communications often present with aggressive behavior, anger, hostility and cynicism. All of them are directly related to formation of blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart and future heart attack and need for bypass surgery and angioplasty.

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita said that whatever you think in your day to day life will be the state of mind at the time of death and the mindset at the time of death decides in which direction your liberation will occur.

The Mahabharata, one of the epics of Hinduism, has multiple mentions of the phrase Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (अहिंसा परमॊ धर्मः), which literally means: non-violence is the highest moral virtue.

In Buddhist texts Ahimsa is part of the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla), the first of which has been to abstain from killing. The Buddhist texts not only recommended Ahimsa, but suggest avoiding trading goods that contribute to or are a result of violence:

These five trades, O monks, should not be taken up by a lay follower: trading with weapons, trading in living beings, trading in meat, trading in intoxicants, trading in poison — Anguttara Nikaya V.177, Translated by Martine Batchelor.

In Bible Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”

Also Matthew 5:43-46 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and do good for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Prescription

• Violence is invariably due to non fulfillment of someone’s desires or expectations.
• It will invariably be a part of anger OUT (not anger IN).
• It is a part of hurting some one’s ego.
• In violence, never react but act
• Humility is the acute antidote to violence.
• Apologize for the time being, withdraw temporarily and but then persist on your thoughts.
• ACT the Lord Shiva way: Continuously (thick matted hairs) with cool mind (half- moon) and continuous flow of positive thoughts (Ganga) keeping your ego under control (Sheshnag) neutralize your anger (Neelkanth) till you get the insight of the answer you require.
• In violence, think differently, positive or opposite.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA