Ahimsa the Ultimate Winner

Author(s): N P Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 34

perceptions. This is how he elucidated the integrated concept of ahimsa as including Apurigraha and Anekant as its inseparable parts, Ahimsa will not be complete in thought, deed and expression without the input of abstinence, nonpossessiveness and tolerance.
☆ Mahavir was highly effective, scholarly and convincing communicator of Jain philosophy. He displayed unique organ-izational flair and had large number of great and learned Sadhus and Sadhvis in his Sangha led by Indrabhuti Gautam (who had earlier been an authority on Vedic philosophy but was deeply impressed by Mahavir's wisdom and joined his ranks). Mahavir displayed unique organizational flair in the establishment of Chaturvidha' Sangh (four fold congregation) of Munis, nuns, laymen and laywomen. Among the Sadhus and Sadhvis in his Sangh, there were people from diverse backgrounds ranging from Kshatriya (warrior) class, Brahmin class, businessmen, farmers, fishermen to the lowly downtrodden classes.
Mahavir's great attribute was that he reached the masses by delivering his sermons not in high-flown classical language like Sanskrit or other literary languages, but in the day-to-day language of the people like Ardha Magadhi and Prakrit. His message reached both Jain and non-Jains alike. All classes of people thronged to his discourses. His message was at all times addressed to wider humanity.
☆ On foot, he travelled the length and breadth of India, inspired, and motivated the masses to take to the path of peace and tolerance abjuring hatred, mistrust and violence. Jain holy texts like “Trisastisala Kalpursasa Charitra” vividly describe the travels of Mahavir and how he inspired all stratas of society wherever he went. Much later Mahatma Gandhi drew inspiration from Mahavir's mass contact orientation and aroused successfully the entire nation to join in the peaceful
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