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No. II) Renascent India and Veisali
71 So during the 6th. cent B. C. Vaisali was the centre of the relie gious movements that were springing up in India at that time. Dr. Smith has characterised these movements as the protesto of the Kshatriyas against the all-powerful Brahmins. One, however, may well be tempted to ask as to why these protests of the Kshatriyas were voiced by the republican clans rather than by the Monarchical Chiefs who were more powerful. Dr. Smith would have been near er the truth if he had sought the origins of the religious movements in the healthy political life of the Vajjian Republican Confederacy to which the Buddha himself paid tributes. A further proof of the republican character of Jainism is to be found in the fact that Lord Mahavira emphasized the dignity of man, that He said that man could mould his own destiny and attain salvation through self-less action and that for his salvation the help of no outside agent was needed. This teaching was a hold proclamation of the republican ideal in religion.
Vaisali is also the embodiment of the dedication of the individual, however great he might in to the well-being of the community. Lord Mahavira was die son vi Sidhartha, a Lichchavi Chief, and Trishala the sister of Chetaka, the Lichchavi Raja. His princely origin not withstanding, Lord Niahavira kicked wordly luxuries and devoted himself in healing the religious gores from which the common people were enffering at that time.
To sum up: the message of Vaisali is that republicanism is the best sort of snartitution under which the individual has the best opportunities to unlold his personality to the utmost extent, that such a developed individunt should dedicate himself to the well-being of the community, that Lord Mahavira was the finest flower which blossomed at Vairali, embodying its best ideals, and that the religion of a republic should be the cult of self-reliance,
These ideals of ancient Vaisali can inspire Renascent India to action. But it is a matter of regret that due attention has not been paid to the excavation work at Vaisali, that only an insignificant part of which should have been done has been done, and that many valuable informations yet lie buried beneath mounds. Every Indian is under sacred obligation to Vaisali, but most of all the Jainas owe a
