Introducing Jainism

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 75

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INTRODUCING JAINISM
ahimsā, i.e., the forbearance towards living beings (chapters 206-208). It is noteworthy that in many places of the Mahābhārata "the ascetic morality of ahimsā and of love towards all creatures” is depicted. In the śāntiparva, the greatness of ahimsā is firmly established, the argument being
jivitum yaḥ svayam cecchet katham so'nyam ghātayet/ yad yad ātmani ceccheta tat parasyāpi cintayet//
(12.254.22] "He who himself wants to live, how he can kill the other; what one wants for himself, that is to be thought of others.'
In order to establish this statement the story of JājaliTulādhāra is given, in which Tulādhāra has proved the excellence of ahimsā as a superior religion to anything else. Tuladhāra is the pedlar and Jājali is the Brahmanical ascetic. In this conversation Tulādhāra appears as a teacher. The Brahmin Jājali well-versed in the Śāstras has asked Tulādhāra about the essence of religion. Tulādhāra says
adrohenāiva bhūtānām alpadrohena vā punah yā vịttiḥ sa paro dharmas tena jīvāmi Jājale//
"Oh Jājali, without injuring the animals or doing less injury (to animals), if one lives, that is a great religion. I want to live by following that religion.'
sarveşām yaḥ suhrn nityam sarvesām ca hite ratah karmaņā manasā vācā ca dharmam veda Jājale//
'Oh Jājali, he who becomes a friend to all people or who is engaged in doing good to others by means of action, mind and speech, he knows religion. .
yadā cāyam na bibheti yadā cāsmān na bibhyati/ yadā necchati no dvești brahma sampadyate tadā//
'When one does not fear others, and when others do not fear one and when one does not wish to do anything, or when one does not want to hurt others, he attains the feet of Brahma.'
yadā na kurute bhāvam sarvabhūteșu pāpakam/. karmanā manasā vācā brahma sampadyate tadā}/