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THE LIFE OF MAHAVIR
[MAJOR PRESENTATION at the United Nations Chapel, New York (U.S.A.) on 25th April 2002 on the occasion of the Inter-Faith Celebration of the 26004 Janma Kalyanak of Bhagavan Mahavir.]
It is a remarkable coincidence. We are celebrating the 2600th birth anniversary of Jain prophet Mahavir at the United Nations Chapel under the auspices of leading Inter-Faith organizations of the City of New York. This is symbolic of the fact that Mahavir belongs to the entire humanity and not just to any particular religion.
United Nations Building stands where there used to be at one time a slaughterhouse radiating the message that violence must go and non-violence must prevail to strengthen the foundations of world peace and co-operation.
It is only appropriate that United Nations receives Mahavir's spiritual vibrations emanating today from this historic church. Mahavir has been the most outstanding Messiah of peace and nonviolence in the last 25 centuries. Effect of military victories lasts but a few years. The impact of Mahavir's message of reverence of all life and compassion has already lasted over 2500 years.
Jain scripture Sutrakrtanga says:
"Hatthisu erevanamahu nae, sino miganam salilana ganga,k Pakkhisu va garule venudeve, niwanavadiniha
nayaputte.”
(Just as among elephants Airavata is supreme, among animal lion, among river Ganga, among birds Garuda the son of
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