I LIKED THIS STORY ABOUT NON-VIOLENCE. IN THE ASSAMESE VAISHNAVISM OM VISHNUPAD MADHAVADEVA-ACHARYA IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ACHARYAS, HE IS SECOND IN RANK TO OM VISHNUPAD SHANKARADEVA-ACHARYA.
Once the disciples of Madhavadeva killed some fish in a near-about pond. On coming to know this Madhavadeva demanded an explanation for indulging themselves in the act of killing animals.
They replied that fishes caught by them would have died a few hours later as the water of the pond was fast drying up.
Madhavadeva thereupon asked them: "Would you kill a Brahmin if you know that he has only a few hours to live and by killing him you will relieve him of his death-agony"?
There are many other examples of stern actions taken by the Vaishnava reformers against moral lapses on the part of their disciples as well as the commendations for virtous actions done by them.
Good conduct and moral excellence is considered an essential element of Vaishnava ethics.
