Acharya Prashant clarifies that non-violence is not synonymous with non-resistance or cowardice. He explains that violence is rooted in fear, which arises from ignorance of the self. When an individual lacks self-knowledge, they perceive themselves as a limited physical unit and view their personal welfare as separate from or opposite to the welfare of others. This division creates a zero-sum game where one seeks security at the expense of the universe, leading to violent behavior. Non-violence, therefore, is the state of fearlessness achieved through self-knowledge, where the 'other' is no longer perceived as a separate entity.
