Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Himsa Mean?
Himsa is a Sanskrit term which means “to injure or harm.” It is derived from hims, meaning ” to strike.” Himsa is the opposite of ahimsa, which means “non-harming.” Ahimsa can be both physical and psychological. Practicing ahimsa is essential and involves bringing mindfulness to speaking, acting and thinking.
Yogapedia Explains Himsa
Himsa manifests as prejudice, treating others with contempt, and physically or psychologically assaulting another. Even harboring harmful thoughts toward others can be considered himsa. In short, it is anything that generates suffering in oneself and in others. Avoiding himsa in all ways will help develop the practice of ahimsa, thereby leading a more harmonious life. It is a core ethical rule in both Hinduism and yoga.
Ahimsa is one of five yamas (ethical rules) described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The yamas serve as guidelines to ethical living and cultivating a life of harmony and peace. The other four yamas are:
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Brahmacharya (chastity)
- Aparigraha (non-avarice)
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.