The word ‘Nyaya’ or maxim refers to a familiar or patent instance quoted to explain similar cases. It came to be used in the general sense of ‘Paribhasha’ or rules of interpretation many of which were based upon popular maxims. The word is also used in the sense of general rule which has got some exceptions which lays down the direction that ‘one should interpret the rule laying down an exception along with the general rule.’
अहृदयवचसामहृदयमुत्तरम् is one such maxim which is commonly used to denote a common expression as ‘tit for tat’. The meaning of अहृदयवचसामहृदयमुत्तरम् is heartless words get heartless answers. This is similar to another maxim called ‘यादृशो यक्षस्तादृशो बलि:’ with meaning ‘as is the Yaksha so should be offering.’ There are many saints or Demi Gods (यक्ष) with each यक्ष being offered different बलि (offering) as per the related category as is prescribed in shastras.
Vachaspati Mishra quotes this maxim in his magnum opus on Tarka (logic) ‘Nyaya vartika Tatparya Tika’. “अहृदयवाचामहृदया एव प्रतिवाचो भवन्ति| यक्षानुरूपो बलिरिति हि लौकिकानामाभाणकः||” He uses the similar maxim in his other work Bhamati 4.1.15:-“यादृशो यक्षस्तादृशो बलिरिति सर्वमवदातम्||” Jayanta Bhatt uses this maxim in twice in his significant work ‘Nyayamanjari’. It occurs also in Sridhara’s Nyayakandali and finally, in the vritti on Tattvamuktakalapa ii. 49, where it is immediately followed by “पिशाचानां पिशाचभाषयैवोत्तरं देयमिति न्यायाच्च||” – “For Pisachas (fiends), response has to be in their language only.” The general sense of the Nyaya would seem to be that of “tit-for-tat,” “a Roland for an Oliver.”
‘Roland’ is a legendary nephew of Charlemagne celebrated in the Old-French epic poem La Chanson de Roland and many other romances, frequently together with his comrade Oliver; having fought each other in single combat in which neither won, they were regarded as unbeatable together. The French poet, novelist and playwright Victor Hugo (1802-85) tells how Roland and Oliver met in single combat, fought for five consecutive days and, as neither gained the least advantage, Oliver offered Roland to become his brother and to marry his sister, Aude.
The maxim अहृदयवचसामहृदयमुत्तरम् helps explain how groups of animals, especially human societies, have developed to live in mostly or fully cooperative ways, rather than in the fiercely competitive and aggressive manner one might expect from individuals living in a natural state of constant conflict. Individuals commonly engage in behavioral assimilation, a process in which they tend to match their own behaviors to those displayed by cooperating or competing group members. Therefore, if the strategy begins with cooperation, then cooperation ensues. On the other hand, if the other party competes, then the strategy will lead the alternate party to compete as well. Ultimately, each action by the other member is countered with a matching response, competition with competition and cooperation with cooperation.
However, one may quote अहिंसा as the most sacred and highest principle in Hinduism to counter the application of this maxim. अहिंसा परमो धर्मः is a phrase often repeated by many leaders today to demonstrate the universality of Ahimsa. Ahimsa is loosely translated as non-violence. Unlike the English word ‘non-violence’ (which is absolute in its meaning), अहिंसा as envisaged by the term in Hinduism means non-violence in a relative sense. There are times when violence can also be considered Ahimsa if that violence is used to stop greater violence. For example, a king should always raise his rod of chastisement to keep peace and order in his country. He will fail in the discharge of his duty if he does not punish the wicked, and his country will be in a state of utter chaos. To hang a murderer is Ahimsa for a king. To kill a man who is taking away the lives of many is Ahimsa.
A sad misunderstanding of our scriptures has led to a defeatist and cowardly mentality which has for long enslaved the minds and hearts of confused generations of Hindus. Our scriptures list 24 different kinds of हिंसा (violence). There is violence of speech, violence of intention, violence at the emotional and intellectual levels, violence against women and children, violence against the weak and the aged, violence against those incapable of defending themselves and violence of snatching money or property etc. Such violence is categorized as aggression and is forbidden to a true Hindu. So non- violence is the greatest dharma, but nowhere has it been stated that violence should be meekly tolerated! Ahimsa does not mean non-defence against aggression. That would be a dangerous interpretation of our noble philosophy. The Geeta teachings are a religious call on every Hindu to discard his mind benumbing defeatist cowardice, paraded as Ahimsa, and fight bravely against aggression and evil-doers. All Hindu gods and goddesses carry weapons. Why? Rama, Krishna, Durga, Kali, Ganesha and Shiva, all are armed! Why? They have self-confessed that they have manifested to protect the noble and righteous and destroy the evil-doers. Don’t we destroy all those that come to harm or kill us, even mosquitos, bacteria and viruses? In Bhagavad Gita (4.8), Bhagawan Krishna says that “For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.”
The Mahabharata states,” It is as sinful not to kill the evil-doer as it is to kill the innocent.” The maxim reminds us of an important message and prepares to better face the evil doers.
