Acharya Prashant defines violence as the act of hurting consciousness when there is an option not to do so. He explains that while involuntary actions like killing bacteria or defending oneself against a mosquito or a lion are defensible due to a lack of choice or the need for self-preservation, the consumption of animal milk is a deliberate choice. He emphasizes that humans, unlike lions in a jungle, have the option to choose their diet and do not need milk for survival or health. Therefore, causing immense suffering to highly conscious animals like cows for the sake of taste or tradition is a significant act of violence.