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Bhagwan Mahavir ]
[ 473
that is why the ancient Indian sages have advised us to beconie purely moral before every thing else. The Europeans, however, made moral progress secondary to material progress, the evil consequences of which the world is facing to-day. If we want to establish real peace and prosperity in this world, we should be moral before all, and to be truly moral it is necessary that we should have a thorough know: ledge of Ahimsa and its practice. Ahimsa is the mother of all good qualities such as peace, power, purity, mercy, love, forgivenees, endurance, and ungreediness. Ahimsa pnrifies one's feelings, any mosity and establishes friendliness. The nation which possesses such virtues, is blessed with the unique power of unity, and unity is the cause of every progress. It is therefore, clear that Ahimsa is not detriment to any kind of progress; on the contrary, it is the only means to every progress.
He who has made a deep study of the modern Ahimsa movements and their influence on the country, can imagine the supernatural power of Ahimsa which has shaken the very foundations of the greatest empire of the world. Can such a power-incarnate ever be the cause of cowardice ? In fact, India's downfall was due to her going astray from the principle of Ahimsa; and she cannot rise again until and un. less she accepts it in all sincerity. The truth of our statement is gradually coming to light, and those who blame Ahimsa for nothing will soon realise their mistake.
With regard to Ahimsa Lord Mahavira has said," Every living creature is dear to man. All long for happiness. None likes to be in misery. None wants to be killed. Life is
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