An Inner Journey of Ahimsa — 28 Jan 2022

As we come close to the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, I have been meditating on one of his favourite?bhajans?(devotional poetry), titled ‘Vaishnava jan to’. It was composed by 15th century Bhakti poet?Narsinh Mehta?in the Gujarati language. It describes the traits of an ideal Vaishnava — a person subscribing to Vaishnavism, a major Hindu denomination.

Even as it may be classified as Hindu poetry, I find it inspiring that the poet transcends the idea of Hinduism as he describes the traits of a person who may truly be called a Vaishnava. Everything he describes adds up to the practice of ahimsa. He emphasises that only those qualify to be addressed as a Vaishnava, who practise the traits mentioned; the unsaid message is that one does not qualify by birth or through rituals. How gently and beautifully do poets take a stand!

Here is a translation of the Gujarati lyrics, from?Wikipedia:

Call those people Vaishnav who feel the pain of others,

Help those who are in misery, but never let self-conceit enter their mind.

They respect the entire world, do not disparage anyone,

Keep their words, actions and thoughts pure, the mother of such a soul is blessed.

They see all equally, renounce craving, respect other women as their own mother,

Their tongue never utters false words, their hands never touch the wealth of others.

They do not succumb to worldly attachments, they are firmly detached from the mundane,

They are enticed by the name of Raam, all places of pilgrimage are embodied in them.

They have forsaken greed and deceit, they stay afar from desire and anger,

Narsi says: I’d be grateful to meet such a soul, whose virtue liberates their entire lineage.

· What kind of art forms inspire you towards ahimsa?

· How do we create space for ahimsa through art, in our world?

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