When the Vedic seers chanted; “Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi” they surely meant “inner peace” for then the wars were prevalent even if the weapons were less sophisticated and there was little (mis-) information.

For humans, like animals, always fought and will probably continue to fight to the end, for survival and for many other reasons.

Peaceful people, if they really exist, have the hope for a peaceful future; and the same people, when their convictions are contradicted, will probably resort to war to protect their beliefs.

Yoga, undoubtedly, does not escape this, nor believers of any religion of the past or contemporary.

Only individuals have been able, like J. Krishnamurti in present time, Gautama the Buddha or Jesus and many others in the past to state that the ultimate evil is to kill. Not only violence on human beings but also on any living beings!

If we consider the notion of peace, Shanti through the lens of Patanjali ‘s teachings, we realise that the totality of the eight limbs: ashtanga yoga he suggests is a way to reduce our insanity and reveal our potential for a respectful, peaceful life.