अहिंसा
a·him·sa
Ahimsa
अहिंसा
Non-violence. The absence of harm in thought, word, and action.
Ahimsa is the first yama — the first ethical restraint in the yogic path. It means non-harming. But it means more than simply not hurting. Ahimsa begins in thought before it reaches action. A violent thought, even unexpressed, is a violation of ahimsa.
Gandhi built a revolution on this single principle. He understood that non-violence is not weakness — it is the most demanding form of strength. To hold back the full force of your response when provoked requires far more power than to strike.