Non-violence is a key concept in the intellectual frame work and practical aspect of Gandhi’s life. His interpretation of non-violence is his significant contribution. He is considered as a great votary of non-violence. When there is so much of violence, terrorism, aggression etc. in the world right from the beginning of human civilization, Gandhi’s advocacy of non-violence in all walks of life is a mark of sanity and civilized existence. October 2, his birth day is observed as the “World non-violence day” by the UNO.

Non-violence or ahimsa as is called in the Indian terminology is not Gandhi’s new innovation but its references are found in the religion-philosophical treatises of India. But Gandhi has given it a new dimension. There is reference to it in the Veda, Upanishad, Gita and the philosophical systems. In the Vedic literature non-violence is taken as a righteous quality of the devas. It is also taken as a moral ideal in the sense of non-sacrificing of the animals in the Vedic rituals. In ChhandogyaUpanisad (III/16) and TaittiriyaUpanisad (1/a) non-violence is taken as one of the virtues out of the four such as Vairagya, Dana, ahimsa and satya. In the Bihhuti yoga of the Bhagavat Gita (Verse-5) non-violence is taken as one of the states of beings which proceed from God. In DaivasurSampad Yoga (Verse-2) while distinguishing between the god-like and demonical mind non-violence is refereed as one of the noble virtues which come under the former. Out of the twenty six noble qualities enlisted in the Yoga, non-violence is considered as one among them.