Jain Journal 1980 04

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

Page 11

APRIL, 1980
123
(dhyāna), he attained the state of omniscience and then returned to teach the people. When he presented his sermons, he chose to use Prakrit, the language of the common man rather than Sanskrit, the more refined medium of scholars and theologians. Mahavira wanted to communicate with all people, to make his message accessible to everyone, not just the intelligentsia.
Mahavira had great influence on public policy in his time, as he worked to reduce oppression of women, to eliminate slavery and discrimination by caste, and to diminish the slaughter of animals for religious sacrifice and also for food. He did so by taking positive actions in his own teaching. For example, he reorganized the four-fold order of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen and initiated an untouchable, Metarya, as a muni. Furthermore, he liberated Candanabala from the bondage of slavery and initiated her as the first nun. As a result kings and princes were compelled to bow in respect and reverence to a former serving girl and a lowly untouchable.
This forward-thinking style of living marks one aspect of the way Mahavira brought about social and political reform. The other way was to be available as a spiritual guide and consultant to the kings and rulers of his time. Bimbisara, also known as Srenika, one of the most famous emperors in Indian History, and his queen Celana, helped to lead the lay orders of disciples of Mahavira. Bimbisara's royal successor, Ajatasatru, and his son in turn, Udayi, were also followers of Mahavira's teaching. Many other royal families who followed the philosophy of Mahavira, and his disciples at that time met resistance almost nowhere.
Parsvanatha, whose historicity is not questioned by serious scholars, was the twenty-third Tirthankara, living in the 8th century B.C. He gained a very large following, including some powerful rulers. Also, it appears that his influence spread far beyond India's borders, reaching central Asia and probably even to Greece.5
Neminatha, the twenty-second Tirthankara, was a cousin of Krsna and is generally thought to have lived in the 15th century B.C. He is especially renowned for his steadfast teaching against the slaughter of animals for religious sacrifice as well as for food. Parsvanatha and Mahavira continued to make this a main point in their teaching also, and as a result they both did much to restore vegetarianism as a way of life in their respective eras.
$ Religion and Culture of the Jainas, p. 13.