Unlimited Ahimsa will take time to be universalized.
We will have ample cause to congratulate ourselves, if we learn to
substitute the law of love in society for that of the jungle, and
if, instead of harbouring ill-will and enmity in our bosoms against
those whom we regard as our enemies, we learn to love them as actual
and potential friends. It should be remembered too that mere
jivadaya (kindness to animals) does not enable us to overcome
the 'Six deadly enemies' within us, namely lust, anger, greed,
infatuation, pride and falsehood. Give me the man who has completely
conquered self and is full of goodwill and love towards all, and is
ruled by the law of love in all his actions, and I for one will
offer him my respectful homage even though he be a meat-eater. On
the other hand the jivadaya of a person who is steeped in
anger and lust but daily feeds the ants and insects and refrains
from killing has hardly anything in it to recommend itself. It is a
mechanical performance without any spiritual value. It may even be
worse — a hypocritical screen for hiding the corruption within.
Sevagram,
9-9-'40
Harijan, 15-9-1940