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 170

Lord Mahāvira and National Character
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freedom are the pillars on which the entire building of character is based. Today that is weakening; consequently every one is the victim of non-belief, distrust, disappointment, and diffidence. He is progressively feeling a sense of irresponsibility. In such case how can a nation progress? In such circumstances it is only Lord Mahāvira who can stand in good stead. His invaluable principle of Karman is capable of leading a man who is full of evils like distrust etc., to the right path by boosting in him the sense of selfdependence, self-confidence and self-help. It is his principle which paves the way for a man who is reduced to extreme helplessness to strive and to achieve his goal and to do his duty with renewed vigour strength, courage and confidence.
The awareness of one's own existence makes one liberal and sensitive and with the result, he begins to recognise others existence, This point explicitly makes it clear that non-violence is a social thing. Lord Mahāvira was the greatest exponent of the deepest meaning of non-violence. He promulgated; real wise is he who does not kill any living being. To whom you intend to kill is no other than what you are. He is like you, full of consciousness. So, think that you are that. Mahāvira's non-violence is extremely subtle and profound. According to him not only killing of a living being is violence but also thinking of it makes it so.
This very outlook of Mahāvira resulted in the extinction of the thought of higher and lower, superior and inferior. It brought about integrity and harmony. He criticised and refuted casticism and others who were responsible for disintegrity and disharmony. He asserted and taught that none is great by birth or caste itself. He becomes great by his deeds and virtues. Mahāvira came forward with the thought of revolution against the social evil of superior and inferior. Persons like Harikesi, born in Śūdra caste, were among his Sādhusangha. He fought for the freedom of women. He not only initiated a woman like Candanbālā but he went to the extent of making her a leader of the Sādhvi Sangha.
A nation can only progress when her each and every limb enjoys equal respect and iinportance. Mahāvira looked with equality not only every human being but also every living being. Today's world is full of tensions because of religions, schools and castes. Difference is seen between black and white. It is only