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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
59
This statement expresses the idea of the unity of all religions. When differences in respect of ideology, traditional and deep-rooted prejudices, religious fanaticism, mutual hatred and blind dogmatism are discarded, ahimsā or non-violence takes its place in human life. The true unification of all religions can take place only on the plane of non-violence and tolerance. When ahimsā is given the highest place, all prejudices, all animosities, all dissensions, automatically disappear. True mutual love appears. अहिंसा प्रतिष्ठायां तत्सन्निधौ वैरत्यागः ।।
-पातंजल योगसूत्र Ahimsā pratistayām tatsannidhau vairatyāgaḥ.
-Patanjala Yogsūtra) Even the creatures that are by nature wild and violent grow non-violent and mild in the presence of a person who is non-violent and whose life is governed by the principle of ahimsa or non-violence.
In Fnanarnava (a great book) this point is explained elaborately.
"In the shelter of a yogi (ascetic) who has discarded all passions and attained emotional equanimity and absolute detachment, even animals that hate each other live in unity, amity and felicity. A deer and a lion's cub love each other; a cow and a tiger's cub love each other; a cat and a tiny swan love each other; a peacock and a small snake love each other. They live like mothers and children. In the same manner in the presence of such a holy person all animals give up their natural inborn hatred and violence and live in peace and felicity."
This is the effect of non-violence. While he was in Africa, Gandhiji was returning home after having delivered a speech. An enemy followed him with a sharp knife. Mahathma Gandhi thinking that he was a bodyguard said to him, "Brother! Why, do you follow me with your knife to guard me? I wish to be protected by Bhagavathi ahimsā and certainly she will guard me. You
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