The world celebrates the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2, which also marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s principle of ahimsa, or non-violence, is not just about avoiding conflict, but about living in harmony with others, nature, and oneself. In today’s world, where stress, anger, and competition dominate our daily lives, the call for non-violence is more important than ever. Ayurveda and Patanjali’s teachings provide a practical path to practicing non-violence in everyday life.
According to Ayurveda, non-violence begins within. To achieve peace, the body, mind, and spirit must be in harmony. This can be achieved by maintaining inner and outer health through natural food, meditation, and yoga. Gandhi himself lived a simple life with these principles in mind. Ayurveda also emphasizes the importance of food in achieving non-violence. Certain foods can enhance irritability, while others promote harmony. A plant-based diet is often associated with non-violence, as it minimizes cruelty towards animals and simplifies digestion.
Ayurveda’s path to peaceful living involves habits such as rising early, doing yoga or pranayama, and taking meals on time. These habits keep the body in harmony with nature, avoiding illness and stress. Ayurveda also recommends mild herbal treatments over harsh chemical drugs and promotes gentle speech, truthfulness, and non-violence. By integrating these habits into everyday life, individuals can generate peace within and lead to compassionate actions towards others.
Patanjali Ayurved, established by Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev, has brought these ancient practices to modern homes. They promote herbal cosmetics over chemical-based ones, organic cultivation over pesticides, and natural wellness products over synthetic ones. Non-violence is not just about bodily actions, but also about respecting nature. Simple actions such as avoiding plastic, using herbal cleansing products, or planting trees are forms of taking ahimsa to nature.
Ultimately, non-violence is not just about remembering Gandhi’s teachings, but about living them. By adopting an Ayurvedic lifestyle, selecting natural foods, following the practice of yoga, and being kind to the earth, individuals can translate peace from an idea to a fact. As Gandhi once stated, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” By making these simple changes, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious world. The International Day of Non-Violence serves as a reminder of the importance of non-violence and the need to incorporate it into our daily lives.