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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Mahāvīra and His Relevance
butter, the third may be too anxious to ward off some disease or illhealth. Every human being, rich or poor, high or low, young or old is obsessed by this Demon of Fear. Lord Mahāvīra being a born hero both physically and spiritually, knew no fear of death or disaase, as self-denial was his never-failing weapon in all respects. So he explained to the suffering masses that the fear lurking in their minds is the result of their own ignorance, nay, illusion, and so they are unable to find out the real cause of their supposed fear for losing their happiness on earth. Lord Mahāvīra taught them to live fearlessly by banishing the devilish selfish instinct and to live in peace and harmony with the external world and its objects. The brute in man is the real obstacle in following the Rule of Non-violence. Walt Whitman has correctly observed “Given good health and enough food, an animal is normally happy but affording the same facilities to a man, he is unhappy. Why and wherefor ?” The question remains unanswered either by an intellectual or a scientist. It is only a few prophets, philosophers or world teachers like Lord Mahāvira, Lord Buddha or Lord Jesus Christ, who have not suppressed the real answer to this vexing question.
Lord Mahāvīra evolved his universal Principle of Non-Violence from the basic needs and necessities of co-existence, from purity of minds and hearts, from love and kindness for suffering life and from respect for human values. He pointed out that unless there is first inner disturbance i.e. mental violence (Bhāva Himsa) arising in our mind, there cannot be physical violence (Dravya Himsa). So our hearts and minds be kept pure and unsullied. So Ahimsa (Nonviolence) according to Mahāvīra means Universal Love. Mahāvira's Doctrine of Non-violence is summed up by an ancient saint writer in Sanskrit "Ahimsa Bhūtānām Jagati Viditam bramha paramam” which means “Verily the Rule of Non-injury to any living creature is regarded as the Divine Principle or Supreme Law of this world.”
No violent act originates in a kind or pure heart and inind. Just as anger begets anger, violence breeds violence, passion feeds on itself. So prophet Mahāvīra advised his followers first to control violent thoughts and desires before they manifest themselves into violent deeds and acts. Lord Mahāvīra, the greatest apostle of nonviolence, has founded his Rule of Non-violence on basic human values such as love and kindness, and as such this Rule is not only
eternal and universal, but realistic, though a self-server or an