________________
Non-Violence: A Way of Life bond of the body, Lord Mahavira attained nirvana.
On hearing the news of Bhagwan's nirvana, the enlightened Gautama burst into tears. His lamentation was so touching that even the hardest of hearts would melt. It is easy to console an ignorant person. Here was the lamentation of the highly enlightened one. Even Indra did not know how to pacify Gautama.
Meanwhile the sadness on the face of the enlightened Gautama was changed into delight. Joy spread where there was sorrow. Indra could not understand this change. The enlightened Gautama said, "Oh ! Bhagwan's nirvana has taught me more than what his life did. He often advised me to be independent, to rise above all bonds of dependence. He advised me to go to the inner world where there is no teacher and no disciple. But then I had great attachemnt for Bhagwan's physical self. My worship was physical rather than spiritual. That is why he kept me away at the time of nirvana with a view to teaching me that austerity surpasses all attachment or narrow love."
Thus for every soul Bhagwan Mahavira brought the message of eternal happiness. This is what he did more than 2589 years ago. But the message still purifies the world.
Let us realize the importance of the revolution that he effected before we move on to the consideration of the message of Bhagwan Mahavira. He made scriptures accessible to the masses. In those days religion was discussed only in Sanskrit, the language of gods. The masses could not understand it and this was considered to be the mark of its greatness. Knowledge
Jain Education International
127
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org