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sense of mercy or compassion. It is others' privilege that we do not trespass in their field of authority. So, it is our privilege that they should not enter in our jurisdiction. This is mutual. Where is the question of obligation? In fact, Mahavir expects nothing from us at the level of compassion. Why should he? Who are we to show compassion to vast entities? He has already put a question mark on our status in showing mercy.
ROLE OF NIMITTA
If we are instrumental in the development of an ant, who knows, tomorrow the ant may become instrumental in our development. In fact, the nature of being instrumental in awakening the latent powers of one another is that of substance. Later Acaryas have codified Mahavir's thoughtParasparopagrahojivanam (Tattvarthasutra 5/21). (To be mutually and beneficially instrumental / nimitta is the nature of living beings.) Similar thought Jiyo aur jeene do' (Live and Let Live), moulded into simple words over centuries, is the integral part of the body politic of our social life. After every war, weary humanity in the wake of defeat and victory alike surrenders to this philosophy wounded and mutilated in body and with a broken wheel in hand. Maybe, we could understand forever that Truth is greater than our individual notions and perspectives. Thus, Mahavir is not only a protagonist of mukti (salvation), but advocates LIFE as well. His thinking revolves round saving the life of every single being.
And if we do not become instrumental for others, we would be doing an injustice to half of our role. Our role is that of upadan (material cause) for ourselves, and that of an instrument (nimitta) for others. So, by not becoming instrumental to others, we damage ourselves. Later on, Saint Kabir also said that for refinement of one's self one has to face the multifarious difficulties of life. If we do not become instrumental, what will be the loss of others? Not much. If we do not become instrumental, so what? Someone else will become instrumental. So, for a determined upadan (material cause) to climb the ladder of progress, a nimitta (instrumen
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