________________
208
COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
gression. Pidana is the transgression which consists in thrashing men or animals with ropes, whips, rods or sticks. Kicking servants etc will be included in this transgression of the vow. The aticāra will be there when the act is cruel or merciless. Avoidance of vital spots and due consideration for age are necessary if the act is to free from cruelty. Atibhārāropaņa means overloading bullocks, horses, or in vehicles drawn by them. Even compelling servants to carry more load in excess of their capacity is a transgression. Loading more than is warranted by their capacity on men or animals is the gist of this transgression. Ahāravarana consists in preventing men or beasts from taking food or drink. There is no transgression if the restriction is due to medical grounds. Starving men or animals by denying food or drink when they need it amounts to transgression.
It would be well to stress here that Ahimsā is not something negative; it is another aspect of dayā-compassion which is, in Hemachandra's words, the beneficient mother of all beings,' the elixir for those who wander in suffering through the ocean of re-incarnation. This positive Ahiṁsā is expressed in the form of karuņa-dana or abhaya-dāna, the giving of protection to all living creatures. 1] Samantabhara says that Ahimsã is the highest bliss known to beings in this world. (Ahimsā-bhūtānām jagati viditam brahma paramam).
The consequences of violence (hiṁsā) are calamity and reproach in this world and the next. He who commits violence is always agitated and afflicted, being actuated by animosity. He suffers pain and suffering, sometimes imprisonment also. Therefore everyone should avoid violence and practise benevolance towards, all living beings, feel joy at the sight of the virtuous, show compassion and sympathy towards the afflicted and adopt an attitude of tolerance towards the insolent and ill-behaved. He who conducts himself in life in this way is able to practice nonviolence and other vows to perfection.11 Thus the positive virtues which a votary of non-violence must possess are maitri (love or friendship), pramoda (joy and respect), kārunya (compassion),
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
