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ECONOMICS OF MAHAVIRA
Two persons came to Bhagwan Mahavira. One was Emperor Shrenik and the other Shravaka Punia. Emperor Shrenik was the most powerful person of those times. He possessed abundant wealth. Shravak Punia was a person earning his livelihood by spinning cotton yarn. Mahavira was asked: “In your view, who is more important, Emperor Shrenik or Punia?" Mahavira said, "Both. Because of Emperor Shrenik, thousands of persons would come to me. On the other hand, Emperor Shrenik cannot acquire, even in his dreams, as much happiness and satisfaction as does Punia."
We all want that the life of a man should be as peaceful, satisfied and happy as that of Punia. From this point of view, Mahavira said that while earning wealth, everybody should keep five rules in mind:
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Nobody should be kept in bondage. Nobody should be killed. Nobody's limbs should be lost. Nobody should be overloaded with work. Nobody's livelihood should be disturbed.
These directions are for a happy life; without these nobody can become happy.
Change the Thinking Our concept of Economics acknowledges that man cannot live without money resources. At the same time, excessive earning also would not allow man to live happily. In this context, only the principle of few desires, modest works and small possessions alone can give the right view of life. Gandhiji very often used to experiment this. He was a practitioner, not only a preacher.
American journalist Louis Fischer came to Gandhiji and expressed the desire to live in Sevagram for a few days. Gandhiji's permission was obtained. After living there in the hot climate, Louis Fischer's condition deteriorated. Seeing his face, Gandhiji understood the position and said that he needed an airconditioner. He would arrange one quickly. He asked for a big
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