Browse articles

अहिंसा-मानव सभ्यता और आक्रमण

Vol. 51 · No. 08August - 2003pp. 12-17Hindi

Summary

The text explores the nature of exploitation, arguing it is fundamentally "violence" (hinsa), a subtle and pervasive element not resolved by political revolution or programs alone. It contends that viewing exploitation solely through class struggle is insufficient, as oppression exists within personal relationships and across all social strata, including within families of the exploiting class. The author asserts that individuals cannot be neatly placed in a single class, as everyone experiences pressures from above and below. True resolution requires a difficult, lifelong practice of non-violence (ahimsa) in human relations, which includes disciplines like celibacy and non-possession. Eliminating classes is not the goal; rather, the aim is to remove the "poison" in relationships, allowing diversity to flourish. A classless society is not one of uniformity but where love and mutual support replace exploitation, making class consciousness unnecessary. Violent revolution is criticized for perpetuating violence and often leading to new forms of oppression, as revolutionaries may become rigid or corrupt. The text also addresses aggression, stating that non-violence does not mean passivity. True fearlessness, which can counter aggression, stems from love, not violence. While violent self-defense may contain an element of fearlessness, it ultimately derives from non-violence. The deepest fearlessness comes from love, as exemplified by figures like Gandhi and Christ. Ultimately, the text advocates for transforming human relationships through non-violence rather than through the violent overthrow of structures.

Conclusion

The document argues that exploitation cannot be eliminated through political or economic programs alone, as it is rooted in the subtle and pervasive nature of violence (hinsa) within all human relationships. True resolution requires a profound, lifelong practice of non-violence (ahinsa) that transforms personal conduct, including celibacy and non-possessiveness. The text warns that violent revolutions often perpetuate the very exploitation they seek to end, as they fail to address the inner motivations and relational dynamics that sustain oppression. Ultimately, a classless society is not achieved by erasing differences or destroying classes, but by fostering relationships of love and mutual support where class-consciousness becomes irrelevant. The outcome is a vision of social transformation that prioritizes inner change and non-violent action over external restructuring.

Original PDF

Inline viewer

Checking source PDF

The viewer will load here if the archive file is reachable.

Continue reading

Related articles

Journal of Indian History and Culture

Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism in Modern Travancore

By Subhash

June 2022