Bhagavana Mahavira

Author(s): Chauthmal Maharaj
Publisher: Jainoday Pustak Prakashan Samiti Ratlam

Page 64

Bhagawan Mahavir )
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in their own line. The science of trade and commerce was evolved; and those, who were proficient in it began to prosper by means of exchange system. Now people felt that the benevolence, popularity and statesmanship of Rishabha Devaji was specially conducive to their material gain in this world and the spiritual enlightenment in the next. Then it was that they applied themselves with a redoubled vigour and keener interest to the prosperity and welfare of the king and his kingdom. Thus the king and his subjects ardently struggled for mutual welfare. Love and affection flowed from either side towards each other. But in spite of all this no body was regarded as great or small, high or low simply on account of his profession. All were equal and all enjoyed the same privileges in the society. The ghost of untouchability was not yet born and this was indeed a good thing. Our ancestors gave rise to different kinds of industries and divided men into different groups not with a view of introducing a destructive policy of discrimination among themselves or reducing to pieces the consolidated strength of mankind which should have been like an attempt to bring to life the separate parts of strong man's body after cutting it into pieces or destroying it altogether, but to remove the weaknesses of human society and strengthen its foundation, to facilitate the work of man and enable him to attain salvation, to maintain the beauty, health and longevity of the greatest as well as the smallest individuals the limbs of human society, to give opportunity to all to cultivate good qualities and above all to establish a common brotherhood and equality of rights among men.
The reader should therefore note that whatever Rishabha Devaji did and whatever they left for us in