In the Gita, Krishna revealed that denial of the Self is himsa or injury. Buddha, the enlightened one, taught that ahimsa is the highest dharma (principle) of life. Patanjali was a mystic and philosopher of ancient India. He offered thoughtful insights and enlightened commentary on yoga and suggested the practice of yama or the discipline of abstention from injurious thought, word or deed. Gandhiji himself referred often to the teachings of Christ to “Love thy neighbor as thyself…resist not evil…and bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.”