"Ahimsā Paramo Dharma"—"Nonviolence is the highest virtue"—is a Sanskrit phrase that comes from the Mahābhārata, one of India’s most revered spiritual epics. In the text, it is spoken as part of a larger conversation on dharma, or righteous living. Though the Mahābhārata is often remembered for its scenes of war, its heart beats with deep ethical teachings—and this one stands out as a timeless call to peace.
In Hindu spiritual thought, ahimsā, or nonviolence, is more than just refraining from physical harm. It’s a way of being that extends to our thoughts, our words, and our intentions. It reflects the recognition that all beings share a divine essence, and to harm another is to harm oneself. This is why ahimsā is at the core of practices like yoga, meditation, and ethical living. It’s not about passivity—it’s about powerful, conscious restraint in service of a higher harmony.
