History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.114

v7.c91.114

A few examples of emphasis on ahiṁsā in the Purāṇas may be cited here. The Vāmanapurāṇa¹⁵²⁴ provides: *ahiṁsā*, truthfulness, absence of stealing, charity, forbearance, self-control, quiescence of senses, absence of poor spirit or weakness, purity, *tapas*—this is the tenfold dharma applicable to all varnas. The Padma says: not by (the study of) the Vedas, nor by gifts nor by *tapas*, nor by sacrifices do men who kill creatures reach the goal of *heaven*; ahimsā is the highest dharma, the highest *tapas* and the highest charity—this is what the sages always say; men that are compassionate treat flies, reptiles, stinging insects, lice and the like and human beings as themselves. Matsya goes so far as to state; great sages do not commend sacrifice in which there is killing; by donating grains of corn gathered in a field, roots, fruits, vegetables, vessel for carrying water according to their ability, sages practising austerities became established in heaven; absence of hatred and greed, self-restraint, compassion towards all beings, control of senses, celibacy, tapas, tenderness, forbearance and firmness—this is the root of the ancient dharma, which is difficult to accomplish. The Brahmāṇḍa (II. 31. 35 'tasmād-ahimsā dharmasya dvāram-uktam maharṣibhiḥ' ) says that great sages have declared that ahimsā is the door of dharma. The Padma (V. 43. 38) says 'there is no *dāna* nor *tapas* equal to ahimsā'. It is interesting to note that the Matsya and Brahmāṇḍa regard ahimsā as 'sanātana dharma' and condemn animal sacrifices. The Kūrma¹⁵²⁵ provides 'ahimsā, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possession of wealth-these are briefly declared *yamas* that produce purity of mind among men. The great sages declare that *ahiṁsā* consists in causing no pain to all beings at all times by thought, word or deed. There is no dharma superior to ahiṁsā, no happiness higher than (the practice of) ahiṁsā; the injury (to life) that is caused according to (Vedic) precepts is declared to be ahiṁsā.' The Upaniṣads commended a qualified ahiṁsā, while the original Pali books like the Sāmañña-phala-sutta forbad injury to all living beings. Most of the Purāṇas, in order to convince the masses that they did not lag behind the Buddhist preachings, generally insist upon unqualified ahiṁsā. Time brings about strange changes. Professing Buddhists in Ceylon, China Japan and many other countries have no objection to partaking of fish and meat, while following the insistent advice of the Purāṇas, millions of Indian people (not only brāhmaṇas but also others like vaiśyas and śūdras if Vaiṣṇavas) have been strict vegetarians for centuries, though Buddhism vanished from India centuries ago.