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all living creatures, is an evidence in support of this view. The social organisation based upon culture and qualification has, et one stroke, been converted to the Varņāśrama Dharma claiming superiority merely on the ground of birth. Thus, South India not only lost its noble religion of A-hiṁsā, but also lost its democratic organisation of society, and instead voluntarily submited to a form of social slavery from which it has not been able to liberate itself in spite of strenuous efforts made by it in recent years.
The revivalists introduced a form of social serfdom in place of the noble social democracy of the earlier days. In this connection, it will not be out of place to mention that the Tamil term “ Aram” which is considered to be a translation of the sanskrit term Dharma has nothing to do with Vargāśrama, which is the only meaning of the term Dharma in Hindu Dharma Šāstra.
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Most of the religions of the world however, have only dogmas and myths to offer in place of the scientific thought which alone can satisfy the demands of reason, and from which alone can flow the desired good under all circumstances. Jainism differs from all other so-called religions in so far as it is a perfectly accurate, definite, and exact science free from bisty and mystic ritual, unholy superstition, and fear-engendering devotion. It does nut ask its devotees to accept its teaching on the authority oi anything other than Reason, and invites all to understand the nature of the subject before pinning their faith on it.
To begin with, Jainism explains the nature of happiness which all are a-thirst for. It is obvious that sensual pleasures do not satisfy the Soul however much they might tickle the senses for the time being-Sensual pleasure is essentially im-permanent, depends on contact with other things and bodies, invitnes trouble and pain in its obtainment, creates worry and uneasiness after its experience, leads to strife with those who happen to be engaged in the pursuit of the same object as ourselves, and gives rise tu misery lit old age, and on the impairment of the senses
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| SR No. | 008001 |
| Book Title | Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker |
| Publisher | Parimal Publication |
| Publication Year | 1989 |
| Total Pages | 650 |
| Language | English, Sanskrit |
| Classification | Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion |
| File Size | 15 MB |