Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 76

Bhagavān Mahāvīra
to your own wife, you will have to pay attention to its code of conduct. One is not able to practise this vow if he is surrounded by an erotic atmosphere, leads a sensual mode of life, possesses a craving for rich food and is extremely libidinous. You will have to refrain from all these activities, conducive to excitement of the sex instinct, if you want to observe the above vow.
"Ananda, you want to take the vow of non-possessiveness. But you will not be able to practise it until you impose a strict control on your desires. There are people who needlessly accumulate land, buildings, precious metals like gold and silver, servants, cattle, grains and other household articles. You shall refrain from doing so. You shall have to circumscribe your desires to your bare necessities.”
Ādanda took all these vows from Bhagavān Mabāvīra and began to lead a religious life. This had a great effect not only on the life of Ananda, but it permeated the entire social gamut in which he moved. Bhagavān Mahāvīra moulded thousands of people like Ānanda. People caught in the snare of ritualistic religion obtained a new direction in their religious life. Bhagavān Mahāvīra enhanced the importance of asceticism and also provided a larger scope for the practice of religion in householder's life. He said on one occasion, “The spiritual discipline of the householders may be higher than that of some ascetics (who are lax), but spiritual discipline of the ascetis devoted to sādhana is undoubtedly the highest.”
The light of religion lit by Bhagavān Mahāvīra continues to be a living force even today in the life of persons treading the path of self-discipline.