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Jitendra B. Shah
SAMBODHI
Vijaysensuri, Vijaydevsuri, Vijayprabhavsuri, Shantichandra, Banuchandra, Vivekharsh Upadhyay had a strong influence over the Mogul Kings Akbar, Jahangeer and Shahjahan. Akbar was impressed by values like penance, renunciation and non-possession. When Heervijaysuri requested Akbar for non-violence during the eight days of Paryushan, the king announced 'Amari in the whole nation for 12 days (1585 A.D.). Gujarat follows this tradition of ‘Amari' till today.
Shantidas Sheth and his family pleaded for the ban on animal-killing even during the month in which Jahangeer was born. According to the declaration in 1676 A.D. and 1608 A.D., animal-killing was prohibited in Mogul empire on every Sunday, Thursday, and last day of every lunar month, Navroj and on the day of crowning ceremony.
Non-violence is one of the main principles of Jainism and Jivadaya is its message. As the roots of Jivadaya in Gujarat have been strengthened by Acharyashri Hemchandrasuri, Acharya Heersuri and Gandhiji. Nowadays, it has became religion of Gujarat. Organizations like Panjara Pole established for the protection of animals. Due to Mahajan tradition, Jivadaya was not only supported by Jains but also by businessmen of other religious. History reveals that Yavans during the rule of Shahjahan in 1666 A.D. had visited Panjara Poles established for the care of birds, sick animals like bullocks, camels, horses etc. These Panjara Poles not only protected animals from the cruelty of Mogul kings and but also sheltered animals during drought. Since Jivadaya is accepted by all, every sect of Jainism gives donation to such institutes. These institutions protects more than 7000 animals animals even today, in Ahmedabad.
