Category: PhilosophyPart of speech: nounDifficulty: IntermediateRecommended for ★ UPSC
अहिंसा
/ahimsa/Roman
English meaning: Non-violence
Definition
The doctrine of not causing harm to any living being — central to Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Gandhi transformed ahimsa into a political tool for mass non-violent resistance. It is one of the most influential Indian philosophical contributions to the world.
Example
“अहिंसा परमो धर्मः।”
In English: “Non-violence is the highest dharma.”
Antonyms / Opposites
- हिंसा
Literary Heritage
“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।”
/Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā Dhanañjaya./
“Perform actions fixed in yoga, abandoning attachment, O Arjuna.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M