________________
90
An Epitome of Jainism least possible injury necessary in the circumstances in which one may find himself.
Complete Ahimsâ in its highest aspect is practised by one who has renounced all worldly pursuits, and has adopted the discipline of a saint's life. A true believer in the householder's stage abstains from Samkalpi Himsâ, but is not able to completely avoid Ârambhî and Virodhî Himsa, although he tries his best to avoid it as far as possible, and makes a steady progress in such endeavour.
It would thus be clear that the dictates of Jainism and the practice of Ahimsa is not only quite consistent with, but is helpful in material progress and prosperity, social, economic and national advancement. It is an entirely mistaken notion that Ahimsâ makes cowards of men, or that Jain Ahimså has led to the weakening of the Indian nation, and to the fall of the Indian empire.
III
Jainism is a practical religion. It is a religion which can be practised while one is engaged in the daily transactions of life in this world. It helps in everyday affairs of mundane life. It adds to the success of a businessman, of a man in power and responsible position, of an artisan, and an artist, and of a labourer in the street, and of a man who is placed in the lowest, the dirtiest, and the worst position in life. It is a religion which cannot only be professed but lived. A Jain, while professing and practising Jainism, may well be a victorious king, a successful statesman, administrator, executive or judical officer, a successful factory manager, an inventor, a scientist, a doctor, a soldier, an engineer, a tradesman, a lawyer, a farmer, a labourer, an artisan, or an artist.
Apostles of Ahimsâ have been rulers of vast territories, have fought battles, have vanquished armies, and have founded empires. They have awarded merited punishment to murderers, robbers, ravishers, thieves, swindlers, and criminals of sorts. The land in their charge used to be proverbially fertile, and the peeple happy and prosperous.
According to the Jaina scripture known as Padma Purana, Shri Râm Chandra, the hero of the Râmávana, attained Moksa or Nirvana, became a worshipful Arhat and is a worshipable Siddha, because of having followed the discipline of a saint, and having thereby got rid of all Karmic contact, although he killed many men in his encounter with Râvaņa, the king of Ceylon, and in other skirmishes. Such killing was Hiinsâ, but the Karmic contamination was not deep because of absence of malice, and such as there was, was neutralised by austerities, control of speech and action, meditation and concentration of mind.
Hanumân, the great General and Commander-in-Chief of Shri Râm Chandra army also attained emancipation. So did millions of others.
The fiva lava brothers who were the victorious heroes of the greatest,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
