21. Sermons Of �Forgiveness And Non-Violence� In Both Vedas and Bible

21
SERMONS OF �FORGIVENESS AND NON-VIOLENCE� IN BOTH VEDAS AND BIBLE

1. FORGIVENESS AND NON-VIOLENCE IN VEDAS

Holy Vedas teach noble lesson of �forgiveness and non-violence�. Vedic devotee prays to Almighty to grant life even to his enemy who hates him. He prays to Providence not only for his well-being, but also for the prosperity of his adversary.

yaao3smaana\ WoiYT yaM vayaM iWYmastasya tvaM pa`aNaonaa#pyaayasva |
Aa vayaM pyaaiSaiYamaih gaaoiBarSvaO: pa`jayaa paSauiBagaR-hOQa-naona ||
à Aqava-vaod 9ó81ó5
Oh gracious God
Grant life to him
Who harbours ill-will and malice
Against us
And against whom
We harbour hatred;
Let him prosper
And let us also prosper;
May we be blessed with
Cattle, horses, sons, grand-sons
Home, health and wealth May all prosper !
May we also prosper
- Atharva Veda 7/81/5

Vedic civilization is the most superb and sublime, adopting in its sphere all the persons of the globe. It is not meant for one community or one country. It is for the whole race of mankind. It is unique and universal civilization. That is why it is concerned with the good of humanity at large.

savao- Bavantau sauiKana: sava- santau inaramayaa: |
savao- Bad`aiNa paSyantau, maa kxiEcata\ du:Ka BaagBavaota\ ||
May all be happy,
May all be healthy,
May all be blessed,
May none suffer from
Miseries and misfortunes.

According to Holy Vedas, there is a pre-natal harmony, natural link and celestial communion among all the souls. Hence Vedas instruct men not to despise one another. He who hates another, hates himself because he finds divine manifestation in both the souls connecting a common link between the two. That is why Vedas teach men to give up malice and hatred.

iva WoYaaMsaInauih |
à Pgvaod 6ó10ó7
Give up hatred.
- Rig Veda 6/10/7

Here is Vedic prayer in Atharva Veda, illustrating the same point

maa naao iWXata kxEcana |
à Aqava-vaod 12ó1ó24
May we not hate any one.
- Atharva Veda, 12/1/24

Violence is abhorrent and abominable in Vedic religion. Vedas teach us not to kill any being that breathes on the earth. It is a heinous sin to kill the innocent.

Anaagaaohtyaa vaO iBamaa |
à Aqava-vaod 10ó1ó29
It is the most heinous sin
To slay the innocent.
- Atharva Veda 10/1/29

Blessed are the eyes that cast loving and affectionate glances at others. Cursed and condemned be the eyes which frown and fret at others. Vedas teach that all are friendly, none is enemy. Love begets love, hatred breeds poison. If you look at others with friendly eye, they will return loving glances to you. Hence it is our utmost duty to create atmosphere of fellow-feeling and friendliness, love and affection, companionship and co-operation, equality and fraternity. Here is Vedic prayer in Yajur Veda illustrating the same point :

_tao _q#aMh maa ima~asya caXauYaa savaa-iNa BaUtaaina samaIXantaama\ |
ima~asyaa#hM caXauYaa savaa-iNa BaUtaaina samaIXao |
ima~asya caXauYaa samaIXaamaho ||
à yajauvao-d 36ó18
O Lord, firm and resolute,
Make me firm,
May all look at me
With friendly eye,
May I look at all
With friendly eye,
May all look at one another
With friendly eye.
- Yajur Veda 36/18

2. FORGIVENESS AND NON-VIOLENCE IN BIBLE

(i) If one slaps on your right cheek, give him left one also

Jesus Christ says :

200. �39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.�
- Mathew, 5/39

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