Bondage and Freedom

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

Page 76

revolution or outburst of violence or a threat of war. As long as there is this streak of cruelty and violence in man, so long will the world be troubled by wars and revolutions. And how can man stop being violent towards his fellow-men if he does not first learn to be kind and compassionate towards his dumb fellowcreatures ?
The path which leads from barbarism and savagery to civilisation and culture, is the path of nonviolence, of tenderness, of compassion.
Human beings ask for mercy of their Creator; but the man who has lived mercilessly on the flesh of animals all through his life, with what face can such a man ask for mercy from God: May I suggest that we all keep in our minds these famous lines of the immortal Coleridge:
“He prayeth bests who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all."
And now I shall bless this convention with a prayer of Bhagwan - Mahavira, a prayer which speaks with the voice of nonviolence:
Let there be happiness for all, Let all be spiritually prosperous; Let all perceive only that which is good, Let there be no pain and suffering in life.
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