In Jainism, if someone is hurting you physically, the main principle to remember is ahimsa (non‑violence), but ahimsa is applied with wisdom, not with foolishness.

Very simply:

1. Protect yourself first (without hatred)

- You should try to escape, avoid, or block the harm in a way that causes the least possible injury to anyone. - For lay Jains, basic self‑defence to save life is allowed as a last resort, but: - No revenge - No anger or hatred in the mind - Only that much force which is absolutely needed to stop the harm

1. Do not hit back for revenge

- To attack back with anger, to “teach a lesson”, to enjoy their suffering – this clearly goes against ahimsa. - Even if you have to push, hold, or restrain someone, the inner intention should be: - “I only want to stop violence, not create more violence.”

1. After the incident – purify your own bhav (inner state)

- Calm down, reflect: “Did I generate anger, hate, or wishes of harm?” - If yes, do pratikraman (accept your fault, feel regret, decide not to repeat). - From the heart, try to develop forgiveness (kshama) for the person, even if what they did was wrong. Forgiveness is for your own soul’s peace.

1. Use intelligence to avoid such situations

- Stay away from violent company, risky places, or arguments that can become physical. - Ahimsa also means preventing future violence by careful living.

1. Difference for monks and nuns

- Sadhu–sadhvi (monks, nuns) follow mahavrata of ahimsa. - They will not use physical force even for self‑defence. They only accept what comes with full equanimity. - For householders, Jainism is a bit practical: minimum, unavoidable self‑defence may be tolerated, but always with repentance.

In short: Jainism does not tell you, “Let yourself be killed.” It tells you: “Protect yourself with least harm, no hatred, no revenge, and then purify your inner feelings through forgiveness and pratikraman.”

You can read more about ahimsa and situations of necessary defence here: