________________
22
HERITAGE OF LORD MAHAVIRA :
Akin to inclinations of this kind is a certain sense of chivalrousness, native generosity, which often prevails in our actions. We are swayed by it particularly when we see a small innocent creature lying at our mercy. This happens, of course, when our mind is calm enough to feel its utter helplessness to visualize its piteous suffering. It is that noble sentiment which, at times, unfailingly overcomes even a hard-hearted hunter engaged in a game of senseless shooting. The mutterings of conscience awaken in him such a state a feeling of regret, though perhaps for a moment only, for having joined such a disgraceful sport as must cause the wholesale slaughter of many a helpless creature.
Another feeling of this kind has its origin in a natural
instinct of economy. With sensible persons it carries a powerful appeal in favour of Ahimsa or Non-violence. They feel a spontaneous conviction that it is not right to kill, or cause to be killed, such a highly organised creature as a pigeon or a deer or a cow, in order to gratify one's unbridled appetite. For a dish of well-dressed vegetables would just serve the same purpose as well, if not better.
All these and others of our social instincts are satisfied by avoiding harming and trying to benefit our fellowcreatures. This, in itself, is undoubtedly a valuable personal gain for the individual.
VII
In addition to avoiding evil and securing good Karma, and to satisfying its innate social instincts,
the
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
