I was searching the roots of all famous Sanskrit quotes. But this one “Ahimsa paramo dharmaha“( अहिंसा परमो धर्मः ) did not yield any results in internet. More than 500 results and just “Ahimsa paramo dharmaha”. Every one is happy mentioning only up to there. The meaning is Non-violence is Ultimate religion (or duty). The sentence is repeatedly gets mentioned whenever Indian philosophy and tolerance is explained, especially context of explaining ancient Hindu (sanatan dharma), Buddhism, Jainism and Gandhian philosophy.
One result gave the latter part of it. धर्म हिंसा तथीव च – “Dharma himsa tathaiva cha “. Now that means Violence is also religion (duty). I am getting different meanings out of them.
1. Non-violence is the ultimate duty of life, and in some contexts violence is also. Here what is the extremity of the context?
2. Try to follow Non-violence and given no choice follow violence (for protect your self). This is most optimistic meaning I have taken
Anyway the sentence is frequently mentioned, but forgetting the second part of it. It’s something like Ashvathamaha hato kunjarah, telling half truth. If some one has a better explanation, or complete hymn please leave a comment.
The Bach 
(migrated comment )
completely agree with U. Personally, i dont support violence…but when we see some fanatic barbarians going around butchering innocent children and unarmed helpless women…i do feel it is the first and foremost duty of every individual to protect and guard them. It is the dharma of everyone to stand against any violence in self defence.
It is rightly said ‘ Himsa is equally noble as Ahimsa’ and this is Dharma!
We have read Vedas, Upanishads…and so on. Only if we learn to clearly and fully interpret them, our problems would be solved!!!
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( Migrated comment )
Well this is the full hymn, as far as I know. Yes, I agree that alwasy the half truth is quoted with reference to this, but it shouldnt be confusing. It just means, non violence is the first (primary) religion, but when teh circumsances arise, violence becomes the primary religion. Take something simpler to understand, for example the declaration of independence of usa, a line says “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security” This can be somewhat compared to the lines in your blog.
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(migrated comment )
Bach:
I think we are looking at Violence and Non-voilence from a very contricted angle all the time. In one of my earlier posts I had argued that the philosohphies of Jesus/Budhha vs Krishna wrt Violence were very different:
http://www.drishtikone.com/?q=node/667
Violence or Nonviolence, should not be looked as “Morals” but as means to an end.
Cheers,
Desh
Drishitkone.com
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IT is said that “The greatest truth is one whose reverse is also the truth”
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because (28) we’ll have to (make) do or we’ll have to deal with it (37) isn’t it so? (1)
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I think if we pray God gives wisdom without showing partiality. Violence doesn’t achieve anything. If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other. That is the ultimate proof of your conviction in truth and faith in God.
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Diana:
Violence can be a personal commitment.. but can it be a “Group” moral? Can someone ask a group to remain non-violent?
Also, is there ever a chance that non-violence can become immoral? Heck yes! When the beneficiary of the non-violence happens to be the Violent as opposed to the Victim, then your “non-violence” will be INACTION and decidedly Immoral!
So, again I ask.. Is Non Violence a MORAL at all??
Think deeply..
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
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Plz .read Shrimad Bhagwat Gita to clear your doubts or Mahatma Gandhi to have clear concept of Non -Violence .you shall get your answer .thx .
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[…]I found this page interesting for my readers and added reference to it. I was searching the roots of all famous Sanskrit quotes. But this one “Ahimsa paramo dharmaha” did not yield any results in internet. More than 500 results and just “Ahimsa paramo[…]
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[…]I think that this article describes very interesting problem and added it to my blog.I was searching the roots of all famous Sanskrit quotes. But this one “Ahimsa paramo dharmaha” did not yield any results in internet. More than 500 results and just “Ahimsa paramo […]
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Ahimsa paramo dharmaha, Dharma himsa tathaiva cha
Non-violence is the highest principle, and so is violence in defense of the righteous.
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