" IS NON - VIOLENCE THE ULTIMATE DHARMA ?"

One of the most disconnected quote in INDIAN HISTORY from annals of known time is the quote “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma……. {NON – VIOLENCE IS THE ULTIMATE DHARMA}. Agreed! Who can refrain from this colonial truth? But this half baked quote has been dissimilated in midst of the present generation result of which is an alienation from WILL TO ACT with strength and fearlessness.

In the book “Universal Message of the BHAGAVAD GITA – An exposition of Gita in the Light of Modern Thought and Modern Needs “ by Swami Ranganathananda this very aspect is meticulously addressed : -

“Goodness is GOOD AND OK, BUT is NOT sufficient. GOODNESS WITH STRENTH AND FEARLESSNESS IS THE CALL OF THE DAY and CALL OF OUR NATION"

If we go a little further we find the most important part of the quote which the present generation is being deprived of “………..dharma himsa tathaiva cha { SO TOO IS VIOLENCE IN SERVICE OF DHARMA }".

Please reflect on this incident in the life of the King Asoka : -

AS a young prince, Asoka was a brilliant commander. As a monarch he was ambitious and aggressive, re – asserting the Empire’s superiority in southern and western India. But it was his conquest of Kalinaga proved to be the pivotal event of his life. Although Asoka’s army succeeded in overwhelming Kalinaga forces, the agony of human pain and loss of life totally changed the Asoka. He embraced the teachings of Gautama Buddha, and renounced war and violence. However even after embracing the path of non – violence, Asoka DID maintain a large and powerful army of about 1 lack soldiers. One of his Generals asked him ..." What is the need of 1 lack soldiers has he had resorted to the path of non – violence ? " For which Asoka asked him to accompany him for night walk. As both were walking in the night they meet a BLIND MAN walking towards them with a lamp in his hand. This was astonishing for the General who accompanied Asoka. To quench his curiosity the general approached the blind man and enquired the man as to why he is holding a lamp and its usefulness since he was blind? For which blind man said “It is not for me! It's for others who are coming in the opposite direction so that they don't come and hit me ".

Asoka then continued “I would not go to wage war against any one. But if someone comes to wage war against me I would not leave them until they are exterminated !! "

This incident in asoka's life is an real eye opener for all of us as it illustrates and most importantly justifies the need for violence in service of INDIA AND DHARMA.

- Thanks
Rajhashekher BC - Raj
Sat, 18 September, 2010 10:45:24 PM
raj_rk2306@yahoo.co.in


“Face the brutes” That is a lesson for all life – face the terrible, face it boldly" was \ is SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S clarion call for India’s Youth.