| In regard to the
absolute ideal of ahimsa there are well-known limitations. Inflicting injury in
self-defence and war for the enforcement of just right is recognized as Dharma. Indian
thought recognized war as svadharma of a particular section of society. Himsa in yajna has
been recognized as a sastraic exception to ahimsa. All these are so recognized, as in the
opinion of our thinkers they are conducive to the welfare of society as a whole. But by its bitter experience of devastating war humanity, his lost faith
in wars as waged and conducted now, as th arbiter of rights between nations.
Later Indian thought has also not bee enthusiastic about the killing of animals in
yajna. The possibilities of difference of opinion as to, the right course in a given set
of circumstances are indeed very great.
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