Non-Violence
59
The Highest Ahimsa
Instead of worrying about saving lives, you should just keep
the inner intent not to hurt any living being in the slightest extent.
You should not hurt others through the mind, through the speech
and through any acts. There is no greater ahimsa than this. With
such an intent and awareness, should you accidentally hurt any
life-form, it is vyavasthit (scientific circumstantial evidence) -
naturally ordained.
Protecting All Life-Forms From Fear (Abhaydaan)
Questioner: We stopped eating root crops ten years ago
to protect life-forms so that they would not fear us (abhaydaan).
Dadashri: Protection from fear should be given to life-
forms that move, discern fear and flee for their safety. Otherwise
what can it mean to those that do not understand fear? One should
give protection to life-forms that experience fear, such as ants
that sense fear when they are obstructed with a finger. Grain does
not sense fear so how can you give it protection from fear?
Questioner: That’s very true.
Dadashri: People have so far practiced ahimsa without
understanding it. It’s like swallowing medicine that was intended
for external use. People then say that Lord Mahavir’s medicine
does not work and so they blame Him and the religion, instead of
their own foolishness. They do not use the medicine the way the
Lord prescribed it. Religion is never wrong.
Questioner: We did not understand all this before.
Dadashri: Yes, you did not have a clear understanding of
the prescribed methods. Life- forms that sense and feel fear are
the ones that flee from you (traaskaay). The Lord has spoken
about these life-forms because they perceive fear. These are the
ones that need protection from violence. Elsewhere, He has said
not to waste water unnecessarily. You are free to use water to