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MAHAVIRA AND ECONOMICS
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one will have to remain healthy, not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.
With regard to the limits on economic activities, Mahavira said that one should refrain from stealing, should not cooperate with a thief in stealing, should not buy things stolen by a thief. In those times, evils were not as prevalent as today, but Mahavira who had the foresight of three ages was foreseeing the evils of five thousand years hence. That is why Mahavira could design and prescribe guidelines for man to live happily in future. If happiness and peace are desired goals today, the direction given by him should be evaluated in the present context and adopted.
Wisdom of Limitation Two types of societies are before us - uncontrolled society and self-controlled society. We have to decide what type of society do we cherish? You do not have to seek advice from anybody. You have to ask this question to yourself. If you want an unhappy society, the uncontrolled society is the destination. If a happy and peaceful society is desired, the imperative is the self-controlled society. • In ancient times, the word samaj (society) was used for humans and the word smaj was used for the animal world: Samajstu pashunam syata samaajstovanya dehinam. We claim that we humans are rational beings but it is perhaps not incorrect to say that no one else has been so much unbridled as mar. Ancient saints have rightly said, "Put any quantity of fuel into fire, it will never be contended. Any number of rivers may fall into the sea, it will not get over-filled.” Similarly, despite unlimited amount of material objects, our expectations will never get fully realised. The problem is that while we want to see others to live within limits, we do not apply the same standard to ourselves. It is rational call of the present times that man observes restraints on its needs.
Environment and Economics If the problem of environment had not come up before us, man would not have taken the opportunity for some deep thinking
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