Bhagavana Mahavira and his Relevance in Modern Times

Author(s): Narendra Bhanavat, Prem Suman Jain, V P Bhatt
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Varshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh

Page 108

Socialistic Discipline and Mahāvira
Anekantavāda which enlightens us about the apparent differences and reconciles them under the guise of spirituality.
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In a democratic country, the language of the people is used as the official language. In the part, the necessity of such regional language was realised by Mahāvira and Buddha for the propagation of their thoughts. It was in a way a great revolution of that age when Sanskrit was the medium of sacred writings and sacred literature. Mahavira preached in the Ardhamāgadhi language in order that people would understand him and his teachings. Later on their teachings were incorporated in the Jain canonial literature in Prakrit language and this gave a shape to a regional language as a literary language for the first time. It was in a way social justice done to the people of that era. The credit goes to prophets like Mahavira and Buddha.
Mahavira's life is an example which shows how a man can be raised to a status of Tirthankara by penances and glorious deeds. This is a lesson to all individuals in society. From Vardhamāna, he became a Vira, from Vira he became Mahavira by strenuous efforts and in the end he became a prophet of humanity. In socialism, all are given opportunities and any person can aspire to be a great person by his efforts. Mahāvira's life is a true testimony to this principle enunciated today.
Thus we find that Mahāvīra belonged to the class of sages and saints who did sympathise with the sufferings of the poor and down-trodden and did serve humanity by their sincere and pious deeds. Socialistic discipline and Mahāvīra are not divorced from each other but the teachings of Mahavira were enunciated for the welfare of the people. It is the real aim of all religions and Mahavira's Jainism is no exception to this rule. Dr. S. K. Iyer says that Religion and Culture will thrive better in a socialistic society than in our acquistic society. We may also quote late Pandit Jawahrlal Nehru, "We must not forget that essential objective to be aimed at is the quality of the individual and the concept of dharma underlying it."8 Mahāvira's views aimed at this goal. It cannot be said, as started earlier that the modern views on socialistic discipline are found in Mahāvira's teachings but it cannot be denied at the same time that if socialistic discipline is to bring about welfare of people, Mahavira's teachings are undoubtedly meant for the welfare of people here and after.