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Introduction
This book is not a biography but an essay on Truth. Bhagavān Mahāvīra was the embodiment of Truth rather than a historical hero. Our devotion to him is devotion to Truth, for he himself devoted his entire life to the search, attainment and dissemination of Truth. Südhakas like hiin who exerted themselves in tapas (austeritics) for years and years together are rare in the history of thy spiritual discipline. Time seems to have cast his achievements into oblivion. But let us remember that it was he who propounded the great philosophy of anekāntavāda which is capable of synthesising the diverse currents of thought in the world. We will not be able to appreciate him correctly as a great prophet of ahiṁsā (non-violence), and unekānta vāda (relativism) until we tried to practise the two ideals in our own lives. Let us draw inspiration from the twentyfifth centenary of Bhagavān Mahāvīra and unveil his image which time has hidden. This can be done only when we have an intimate knowledge of his life and the principle for which he stood. This small book is an attempt in that direction.
The modern life is throbbing with activities and involves ments. Bhagavān Mahāvīra led a life of "renunciation". Although "renunciation" is generally taken to be antagonistic to "active life", Bhagavān Mahāvīra's mode of practising renunciation was not a way of passivity nor conformity to quietism or fatalism. On the contrary, it required vigorous spiritual exertion--ardent efforts and perpetual strivings for self-purification. That is why he preached "active renunciation" and stood foremost amongst those who have infused Indian life with the spirit of "self-exertion”.
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