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58
Mahāvira and His Relevance
ministers and the like. In the hour of national calamity they had rendered remarkable services, references whereof occur in history.
The fundamental point is that one should not resort to violence as far as possible. He should not take pleasure in case he happens to destory life under compulsion. In his heart the genial current of compassion should never stop its inner flow. Although a warrior or a monarch he will never touch wine or meat since they disturb the purity of mind and equanimity, which are the guiding factors to take the right decision under the circumstances. Tolstoy has said, 'I flatly declare that a man fed on whisky and dead bodies cannot do the finest work of which he is capable.' The vision of the non-violent house-holder is not blurred by the pomp or power of the world. He knows his place in this huge world. He feels :
We are like sands upon the shore. A little wave and we are no more.
A person blessed with this wisdom tries his best to adopt a pure and pious course of life. Jain ethics are meant for men of all positions; for kings, warriors, traders, artisans, agriculturists and indeed for men and women in every walk of life. Do your duty and do it as humanely as you can. This in brief is the primary precept of Jainism
Lord Mahavira has warned the world against the callous life of a cruel and merciless person. He has said, 'All the misery spring up from violence - Hissa. A life of Ahimsā helps a person to attain God-hood and enjoy the everlasting bliss of beautitude.' These words of Jesus are noteworthy : 'God is love and he who dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God and God in him.' Those who ask for internal peace, worldly progress and plenty should concentrate their attention upon these words of Jain saint Kundkunda expressed in his Tirukkural, 'A person who has personally experienced what's injurious to his own life why should he inflict injury on other living beings ? Killing brings all other evils.'
Share your mean with the needy. Protect every living being.' This is the chief of all the moral precepts formulated by those well versed in scriptures.
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