In Sanskrit, ahimsa means nonviolence. Literally, it means “not to injure.” Thus it is the first among the yamas or vows in yoga. This fundamental precept of Buddhism and Jainism, as well as Hinduism, includes one’s deeds, words, and thoughts. The other yamas are satya, asteya, Brahmacharya, and aparigraha, or non-lying, non-stealing, celibacy or fidelity, and non-avarice. No wonder these vows are there from the very beginning of human spirituality. They all run dead against human nature. In fact, the opposites of these vows describe the human species pretty exactly, and in five words only. Only a few can even aspire to the vows, let alone follow them to the letter.