Significance of Murder

Murder, defined across various contexts, consistently involves the unlawful killing of another person. Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism consider it the intentional act of taking a life. In historical contexts, murder appears as a crime, a drastic solution, and a central theme in narratives. Psychiatry defines it as the unlawful killing with malice aforethought, a leading charge in studies, and a severe index offense.

Synonyms: Homicide, Killing, Assassination, Slaying, Manslaughter, Execution, Liquidation

In Spanish: Asesinato; In Dutch: Moord; In Finnish: Murhata; In Swedish: Mörda; In Malay: Pembunuhan; In German: Mord; In French: Meurtre; In Portugese: Assassinato; In Italian: Omicidio; In Polish: Morderstwo

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Murder'
Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, murder encompasses intentional killing with full awareness, as demonstrated by the king's investigation. It also includes actions like Devadatta's manipulation of Prince Ajatasattu, and any act causing the death of a living being, highlighting its gravity.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) Murders represent the most extreme consequence that can arise, and these fatal acts are cited as stemming from the underlying condition of upadana in human motivation.[1]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The king ordered an investigation into the murder of Sundari, which eventually led to the truth being revealed about the ascetics' actions.[2]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka

(1) The act that Devadatta coerced Prince Ajatasattu into contemplating against his father.[3]

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) This is considered the most serious sin, according to the ten bad paths of action and the five precepts.[4] (2) The act of killing another person (paropaghata) with full awareness and intention, specifically causing the death of a living being.[5]

Hindu concept of 'Murder'
Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, murder is the unlawful killing of another person. Committing murder during a quarrel leads to severe consequences, specifically the perpetrator facing torture to death as punishment.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Murder is a grave offense for which there is no fixed time for adjudication, meaning it should be dealt with immediately by the king.[6]

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

From: Kautilya Arthashastra

(1) The act of unlawfully killing another person, which, when committed during a quarrel, results in the perpetrator being tortured to death.[7]

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) The passage distinguishes the slaying of a Brahman as a significant murder, suggesting that other forms of murder are less significant in this context.[8]

The concept of Murder in local and regional sources
History Books

Murder, in this context, encompasses unlawful killing, a central theme in Eliot's plays, Hickey's drastic act, and a dramatic solution. It involves moral implications, emotional fallout, and a time-honored narrative conflict resolution.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Murder is one of the screaming phrases on the posters distributed at the town-hall, suggesting a promotion of negative sentiments.[9] (2) Murder is a central act committed by both Beatrice and Salome, driven by their passions and desires, showcasing the extreme consequences of their waywardness within the plays.[10] (3) It is committed by Meursault because he allows the power of the absurd to be infused “too much” in his mind so as the absurd is able to destroy him.[11] (4) A profound act of violence that serves as a central theme in multiple Eliot plays, examining the moral implications and emotional fallout associated with such actions.[12] (5) A time-honored drastic solution to conflicts within the narrative of domestic dramas.[13]

From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas

(1) The story revolves around a murder, committed by Chitru, who then manipulates events to evade being convicted for the crime.[14]

The concept of Murder in scientific sources
Science Books

Murder, as defined by the text, is the unlawful and intentional killing of a human being. It is a severe crime, often the primary offense in studies, and a leading charge. The text emphasizes its significance as a focus of study and a common index offense.

Significance in Psychiatry:
Psychiatry Books

From: South African Journal of Psychiatry

(1) "Murder" is the unlawful killing of another human being, and a significant percentage of offenders charged with this crime have a history of substance abuse.[15] (2) This is the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought, and it is the most common index offense.[16] (3) The text specifies that a portion of index offenses were murder, alongside assault, highlighting the severity of the crimes committed.[17]

Significance in Religious Studies:
Religion Books

From: Religions Journal (MDPI)

(1) Murder is another crime attributed to Barabbas, further contrasting his guilt with Jesus's innocence during the trial.[18] (2) Murder is a parajika offense that prohibits the intentional and premeditated killing of others, seeking assistance to commit homicide, and instigating others to commit suicide, taking into account factors like murderous intent and the victim being human.[19] (3) The text mentions someone being guilty of this, and it is implied that the 'Loving One' would have wanted to prevent it.[20]

Classical concept of 'Murder'
Various literature Books

Meaning of Murder in Ancient Greek mythology, history and philosophy:
Greek Books

Ancient Greece in the Archaic Period was made up from independent states, called Polis, or city state. Classical Greek culture, especially philosophy, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices.

From: The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle

(1) It is a violent, involuntary transaction involving the intentional killing of another person, often with malice or premeditation.[21]

From: The History of Herodotus

(1) The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.[22] (2) The unlawful killing of a king, which prompted the queen to seek retribution against those responsible for the act.[23]

From: The Authoress of the Odyssey

(1) A plot being devised by a group of individuals against Telemachus, but it is disrupted by an unfavorable omen, causing them to reconsider their plans.[24]

From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)

(1) The narrative begins with the act of "murder", which is the pivotal event that triggers the pursuit of the perpetrator by the victim's relations.[25]

From: The Argonautica (English translation)

(1) The narrative refers to shrinking from telling of the 'murder' of Apsyrtus, suggesting a reluctance to disclose a violent and possibly shameful act.[26] (2) The murder is an event that has been wrought upon the men, and it is being glozed over, potentially keeping others from their native land.[27]

Meaning of Murder in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.

From: The Book of the Dead

(1) This is one of the transgressions that Ani denies having committed. He states that he has not done this, nor has he done harm, when addressing a deity from Qernet.[28]

From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

(1) Murder is an act that individuals claim not to have committed or ordered others to commit, highlighting the prohibition against taking human life and the importance of respecting life.[29]