Shloka 7
Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः पुराणे परिकीर्तितः । हिंसया वर्तमानस्य व्यर्थो धर्म्मोभवेदिति । कुर्वन्नपि वृथा धर्मान्यो हिंसामनुवर्तते ॥ ७ ॥
ahiṃsā paramo dharmaḥ purāṇe parikīrtitaḥ | hiṃsayā vartamānasya vyartho dharmmobhavediti | kurvannapi vṛthā dharmānyo hiṃsāmanuvartate || 7 ||
In the Purāṇa it is proclaimed that ahiṁsā, non-violence, is the highest dharma. For one who lives by violence, dharma becomes futile; even if such a person performs other religious acts, they are in vain, because they continue to follow hiṁsā.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It establishes ahiṃsā (non-violence) as the litmus test of genuine dharma: without compassion and restraint from harm, other religious actions lose their spiritual efficacy.
Bhakti is grounded in purity of heart; this verse implies that devotion cannot mature where cruelty persists, because violence contradicts the compassionate disposition required for sincere worship and surrender.
It emphasizes applied dharma (ācāra) over mere ritual performance: ethical discipline is presented as the practical foundation that gives meaning to any rite, vow, or observance.