Ahimsa Varsh 2600th Birth Anniversary of Mahavir Swami

Author(s): Naresh Jain, P Jayaraman
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Page 57

Economics of Lord Mahavira*
- Acharya Mahaprajna
family-moored per- son cannot wholly follow the principle
of abnegation. He cannot lead a life of an ascetic who lives on doles offered by others. For him, Mahavira laid down the standards governing desires and prescribed the limits of consumption. With the determination of the limits, some principles of economics emerge. The theories of the promotion of extreme expectations and production are tempting, but they are not natural and the outcome is not in the best interest of human beings.
Economics is the discipline of material prosperity, and the science of peace rests on the limitation of wealth. There cannot be any meeting point between unlimited expectations and peace.
Man does only need economic resources. If economic deevelopment is secured at the cost of peace, the resultant distressed persons cannot enjoy economic
prosperity; it is a basic requirement of the present times that there should be a synthesis between the satisfaction of economic wants and peace. One-track approach will not be able to solve the world's problems. Economics based on the satisfaction of economic wants and the economics of peace are complementary to each other. Restraint, abandonment, sacrifice and limitation are not dear to people aspiring for economic prosperity. Consumption, luxury and comforts are, no doubt, appealing. But what is not very tempting is an essential for the future of mankind. The realization of this imper- ative would give inspiration to know Mahavira and his principle of limitation of possession and consumption in the perspective of Econmics.
man's lure of self-interest needs to be enhanced. It has, therefore, become the main objective of today's Economics that, as far as possible, the attitude of selfinterest should be promoted. Development is measured by promotion of self-interest. Personal motivation of personal self-interest stimulates more work from man than anything else. It is very clear to us that self-interest is a big inspiration. Accordingly, the theory that modern Economics has established, is meaningful and attractive. Every person should enhance his self-interest as much as possible and earn as much wealth as he can.
The principles presented by communism are no less attractive. It promises that nobody will remain hungry, remain without a house, without clothing and without employement. Everybody's needs will be satisfied. This was and has remained an attractive dream of communism.
The Objective of Economics
Modern Economics has espoused the theory that
soused the theory that
* Extracted from the book "Economics of Lord Mahavira" by the author, published by Jain Vishwa Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India honoring Lord Mahavira's 2600th birth anniversary.
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