________________
8
Timeless Message of Bhagwan Mahavira
bow to Mahavira who is a supreme deity, one who is worshipped even by Gods.
When Mahavira was born, the world was literally a hell. A handful of people, wallowing in luxuries, had made life miserable for the common man. He had lost all hopes, and believed that everything had been ordained and had resigned himself to fate with no hope of salvation.
Jain Education International
Religion had fallen on evil days. Temples had become dens of vices. Animals were sacrificed. Kings waged wars to satisfy their ambitions and scriptures would say that those dying on the battle field would inherit the kingdom of heaven. Thousands of women suffered widowhood and thousands of innocent children were rendered orphans. Knowledge was captive, a privilege for the few. It was not meant for the poor and those of low castes. Scriptures were the monopoly of the selected group of people. Others were denied even the
136
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org