Text 9] Battle Between the Demigods and Vrtrasura 167
yo bhiita-soka-harsabhyam
Gtma Socati hrsyati

etavan—this much; avyayah—imperishable; dharmah—religious
principle; punya-slokaih—by famous persons who are celebrated as
pious; updsitah—recognized; yah—which; bhita—of the living beings:
Soka—by the distress; harsabhyam—and by the happiness: atma—the
mind; Socati—laments; hrsyati—feels happiness.

TRANSLATION

If one is unhappy to see the distress of other living beings and
happy to see their happiness, his religious principles are appreci-
ated as imperishable by exalted persons who are considered pious
and benevolent.

PURPORT

One generally follows different types of religious principles or per-
forms various occupational duties according to the body given to him by
the modes of material nature. In this verse, however, real religious prin-
ciples are explained. Everyone should be unhappy to see others in dis-
tress and happy to see others happy. Atmavat sarva-bhiitesu: one should
feel the happiness and distress of others as his own. It is on this basis that
the Buddhist religious principle of nonviolence—ahimsah parama-
dharmah—is established. We feel pain when someone disturbs us. and
therefore we should not inflict pain upon other living beings. Lord Bud-
dha’s mission was to stop unnecessary animal killing, and therefore he
preached that the greatest religious principle is nonviolence.

One cannot continue killing animals and at the same time be a
religious man. That is the greatest hypocrisy. Jesus Christ said, ““Do not
kill,” but hypocrites nevertheless maintain thousands of slaughterhouses
while posing as Christians. Such hypocrisy is condemned in this verse.
One should be happy to see others happy, and one should be unhappy to
see others unhappy. This is the principle to be followed. Unfortunately.
at the present moment so-called philanthropists and humanitarians advo-
cate the happiness of humanity at the cost of the lives of poor animals.
That is not recommended herein. This verse clearly says that one should
be compassionate to all living entities. Regardless of whether human.
