यशस्तिलक के सन्दर्भ में अहिंसा

The article examines the concept of *ahiṃsā* (non-violence) in Somadeva Sūri’s tenth-century Sanskrit work *Yaśastilaka*, presenting it as a literary and ethical critique of violence embedded within social and religious practices. Written during the Rashtrakuta period (959 CE), *Yaśastilaka* is described as both a cultural document and a vehicle for moral instruction through narrative. The discussion evaluates the text through three lenses: the cultural structure of its story, the conflict between violence and non-violence represented within it, and Somadeva’s understanding of ahiṃsā and its observance. The narrative centers on King Yaśodhara and Queen Mother Candramatī, where the ritual sacrifice of a flour-made cock (*piṣṭa-kukkuṭa*) to a goddess becomes symbolic of intentional violence. Persuaded to perform the offering despite opposing animal sacrifice, Yaśodhara and his mother later die after consuming the poisoned sacrificial offering and, according to the story, wander through six animal births before regaining human existence through moral awakening and repentance. Through this narrative, the article interprets violence as ethically consequential even when symbolic and portrays deliberate violence (*saṅkalpī hiṃsā*) as spiritually damaging. Somadeva rejects ritual violence performed for gods, ancestors, medicine, or fear and emphasizes mental intention, restraint, compassion, vigilance in conduct, dietary caution, non-injury, and friendship toward all living beings as essential to ahiṃsā. The article also situates *Yaśastilaka* within broader debates on sacrificial traditions, references textual disputes with scriptural justifications of animal sacrifice, and concludes with references and an English institutional note outlining the aims of the Gyan Sagar Science Foundation included in the journal issue.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.