अहिंसा
Ahimsa
(ahiṃsā)Non-violence; the practice of causing no harm to any living being
Full Meaning
Ahimsa is the first and most foundational of Patañjali's five yamas (ethical restraints). A (not) + hiṃsā (harm, violence) = non-violence. It applies to thought, word, and action — you can commit violence by thinking harm, by speaking harm, not just by physical action. Ahimsa is the foundation of both Jain and Buddhist ethics, and Gandhi's entire political philosophy.
Etymology
A (अ, not) + hiṃsā (हिंसा, harm, violence). Hiṃsā comes from the root han (हन्) — to strike, to kill.
Usage in Sanskrit Texts
The Mahābhārata states: अहिंसा परमो धर्मः — Ahimsa is the highest dharma. Gandhi translated this into Satyāgraha — truth-force — the method of non-violent resistance that changed the world.
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः — Non-violence is the highest dharma. (Mahābhārata)
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