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Mahavir has profound faith in a person's potential. Therefore, he does not want to instruct a person who has attained rational perception, rational knowledge and rational conduct. In his view, such a person is at par with him.
Real democracy gives every man the option of reaching the highest pedestal to it's member - a man standing on the lowest pedeotal. In the vast democratic thought of Mahavir this option is available to every being. Any soul can become Mahavir. Mahavir is not a fatalist. He does not believe in any Godly power outside the realm of soul. He concedes that the entity, due to its upadan (material cause), transforms on its own, but in this process does not negate the role of nimitta (instrumental agency) of others and, the efforts of the entity being itself upadan, the reins of the entity are in its own hand. The element of bondage and salvation are inherent in it. It can choose anyone. Karmas are fruit bearing but if the soul is awakened, they will be dissipated without bearing fruits.
NOTION OF MERCY
Mahavir has forcefully propounded the concept of Ahinsa (non-injury), aparigrah (renouncing everything) et cetera, on spiritual soil. He does not stop after advising that we should be compassionate. He also explains, why we should show compassion. He does not proceed further without stating the reason and necessity. Compassion should blossom from awareness. Compassion delivered out of ignorance is not helpful in freedom from bondage. In the Dashavaikalik Sutra (4/10), he states, 'Padhamam nanam tao daya' (First awareness, then compassion).
MAHAVIR'S ITINERARY
After attaining keval-jñan (absolute knowledge/omniscience) and before his nirvana (final dissociation of soul from all karmas) on Wednesday, 13 October, 527 B.C.E. (Kartik Krishna Amavasya) at Pavapur in the brahma muhurta (auspicious period of dawn), Mahavir toured continuously for 29
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