NON-VIOLENCE

The works of compassion have an obligatory form that is they are such that they aught to be done. In them, some beneficial work is to be performed for living beings, so that compassion is generated in the heart whereas not being violent to mute creatures is a kind of negative work. By stopping performance of acts of cruelty in the social life, it gets decreased. The measuring – rod of both the opposing elements of compassion and cruelty goes on changing according to actions performed in the society. In the present times, the extent of violence being performed has become so much widespread, that in comparison to it, the works of compassion are seen being done on a very small scale. Hence, protection of all harmless creatures from violence and inhumanity is indeed the present moral and spiritual necessity.
When Rev. Prabhushree (Shri Sat-Chit-Atman, incarnation of God after Shri Ramakrishna) became aware of the immeasurable violence being performed in the entire, world, then His heart was greatly stirred with pity. Day and night, immersed in this worry, full of bewilderment He went on doing the literary work along with ‘Tapasya’ (penance). He used to say that “for human beings, the disaster may probably come, but for innocent, mute creatures, a ‘Daily-Disaster’ is in fact going on. This massacre of innocent mute creatures every day on a constant basis is indeed a ‘Daily-Disaster’. And who is there on their side to protect them? And that is why; the compassion of Rev. Prabhushri for these creatures inspired Him to perform more and more ‘Tapasya’ (penance). His body had become greatly emaciated due to fasting and the manifested form of compassion could be seen at the time of Arti at times through the constant flow of tears from His eyes.
He observed that all over the world violence to all harmless creatures is being performed for various purposes as given below
1. For food :
In the world, the violence to creatures is being mainly done for food of human beings. A great part of population of the earth is making the use of animals, birds and fish in their food.
2. For beauty-joy and enjoyment :
Men in order to manufacture cosmetic substances for their use and for getting enjoyment indulge in violence to mute creatures. For example, for the sake of fondness for garments made out of furs, the animals are hunted. Similarly, for getting enjoyment, flying birds are hunted and lion-shows are arranged.
3. For research work in medicine for prevention of diseases :
In the research work of medicines for various diseases, experiments are first performed on mute creatures and in this way innumerable animals are killed in the most inhuman way after subjecting them to a great torture. For example, after infesting and developing cancer in monkeys, experiments are performed on them. In this way, many medicines are manufactured by resorting to violence upon mute creatures.
4. Religious rites : In the name of religion, in the rites of sacrifice performed for gods and goddesses and through the custom of Kurbani innumerable creatures are killed. In fact, the Supreme Soul is compassionate by nature and He never demands any kind of Bhog (food offered to an idol). Hence, it is not proper to perform any such violent acts in the name of religion.