The Anatomy of Violence

Much of violence or himsa comes from self-hurt: The first step in the algorithm of himsa is: So-and-so hurt me, or I feel hurt. So I must, in turn, hurt whomsoever. Let’s ponder this Gandhian Paradox: Nobody can hurt me without my permission. Thus, himsa is mostly of psychic origin, Which people tend to forget at the critical moment. Harm starts inside and eventually takes over the self And spreads fast: there’s nothing like the pleasure of getting even. Sometimes it may even be a false alarm, Which can go viral in these days of social media. The murderer’s motivation: Come what may—now or never! Another genetic factor of violence: We are worried about people going to hell— Because they have taken a spiritual road not taken. But do we do anything about people Who have taken the same road as ours, And still, are living in hell— For want of food and shelter and protection? Can people be slaughtered in the name of ideology? Doesn’t it take all sorts to make a world? In the circumstances and as recommended by Forster, The keyword is—Tolerance! ***