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whom the problem of the perfection of men came to be recognized as the highest problem before progressive humanity. He did not preach to others what he had not practised himself. The goal set before mankind was the blissfulness of the entire being. This happy state is to be attained through patience. forbearance, self-denial, forgiveness, humanity, compassion, and consideration, in short, sufferings and sacrifice, love and kindness. Mahavira's great message to mankind is that birth is nothing, that caste is nothing and that karma is everything and on the destruction of karma the future happiness depends.
Ahimsa or non-harming is the first principle of higher life, which Mahavira inculcated in his disciples and followers. Its visible effect was sought to be shown how even such brute creation as the beasts and birds, reptiles and fishes, happily responded to the non-harming and compassionate attitude of men.
“KARMA " ANALYSED In Jainism Karma may be worked off by austerity, service rendered to ascetics, to the poor, the helpless and the suffering by giving them food, water, shelter, or clothing. Karma is nothing but a complexity of a very subtle matter which Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
