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

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Mahavira and His Relevance
the definitions of democracy. A great controversy takes place over the question of language. Everybody is endeavouring to propound his own theory without least bothering for others and, this results in anarchy.
In such circumstances it is very difficult to tell as to what could be the role of Jain religion or any other religion. One thing can be learnt from the history of Jainism that it never confined itself to only one language. It accepted the different languages which were in vogue as a medium of communication in different times and the history witnesses that by dint of this broad-outlook Jainism was highly benefited. It is, therefore, necessary to adhere to only one language in order to have a common medium for all. The principle of Anekāntavāda may be proved useful today in the extinction of conflicting views of the peoples. Without being liberal in thinking it is impossible to protect Ahiṁsā and Aparigraha.
If one seriously contemplates, be undoubtedly comes across the fact that most of the principles propagated by Bhagavān Mahāvira are penetrated into society of present day. The Jainreligion advanced by Bhagavān Mahāvīra is playing an important role in the field of knowledge and science as well as in the modern society. The discoveries and inventions of the modern science have not dispelled the mataphysical principles of Jainism but substantiated them. The definition of Dravya in the Jainism as Utpadavyayadhrauvyayuktamsat is to be found supported by it. It is one of the most significant characteristics of Jainism that it has recognised perfection in animate and inanimate. The modern science also is trying to attain perfection. For the same, Bhagavān Mahāvira had dedicated himself throughout his whole life. Today every thing is changing rapidly and nothing remains constant. In a short period of time every thing grows old and is considered out-dated and soon is forgotten. Again new things are discovered and made use of them. However, there is something which persists in them throughout. This is nothing but the reality of life which had already found expression in the teachings of Bhagavān Mahāvira. He taught that the forms of things are not immutable but are of the changing nature. The Paryayas when grow old turn into new ones. Thus Bhagavān Mahāvira could peep into the reality long long back. The revolutionary ideologies, fashions etc. are bound to come about because
every substance by its very nature, is everchanging. In the inodern