honour is on the point of being violated by a lustful desperado and when one defends her by resorting to violence, he is said to have followed the principles of “selfless violence.” Similarly, when the honour of the motherland is at stake and it is being attacked by enemies, the nation’s selfless effort in defending the motherland is “selfless violence.” A tinge of selfishness being present (as the mother is one’s own mother), the love expressed here is limited human love.
“Non-violence of the coward” is, as pointed out, fatal. So also is “selfish violence,” i.e., violence for selfish motives by individuals or a nation to gain power or for other selfish ends.
It will therefore be seen that while non-violence, pure and simple, is the goal of life, this goal has to be attained by individual seekers of God by following “non-violence of the brave.” The masses who have not the requisite intense longing for being one with Him, have to be led gradually towards this goal by the principles of “non-violent violence,” or those of “selfless violence,” according to the circumstances. In conclusion, it must be very clearly understood that “non-violent violence” and “selfless violence” are merely means of attaining the goal of life, namely, pure and simple “non-violence” or “Love Infinite.” The means must not be confused or otherwise mixed up with the goal itself.
The motive and the result are always judged by general acceptance, as to whether they are good or bad. For example, “non-violence of the brave” and “non-violence of the coward” are both non-violence, but from the viewpoint of the motive force behind it, “non-violence of the brave” is born of love and “non-violence of the coward” is born of fear, which is the opposite of love. While as “non-violence” they are not opposites,
