Jain Journal 2008 01 No 03

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

Page 23

Satya RanjanBanerjee:Contributionofthe Jainsin Developing MoralFibresoftheIndians
127
sions where the protection of trees is emphasized. In the Manu-saṁhitā in many places, and particularly in the eleventh chapter many cautious warnings are given for the protection of the trees or vegitable kingdoms. We are surprised to see how in such a hoary antiquty Manu was cautious about the protection of envirnment. At a later stage, a verse (source not known) says how a prayer is made for the protection of a tree. The verse says-- mā bhavantam analah pavano vā vāraṇo madukalah parasur vā / vāhini jalabharaḥ kulisam vā svasti te 'stu latayā saha vrkșa // “Oh the (vskșa) let you be auspicious with the creeper. Let fire not (burn you), let wind not (break you), let ichor drunken elephant not (uproot you), let an axe not (cut you), let the soldiers not (make you branchless), let cloud not (lose your root by excessive rain) and let thunderbolt not (burn you into ashes)".
However, Mahāvīra's emphasis was on the fact that life is dear to all sorts of creatures. The Acārānga says savve pāņā piyāuyā and nāivijjai kiscana (I.2.4). wherever, Mahāvīra has got any chance, he propagates non-killing and asserts that non-killing is the essence of life. In the Sūtrakrtānga (I. 11. 10) it is said--
eyam khu rāniņo sāram jam na hiṁsai kimcana /
ahiṁsā samayam ceva eyāvantaṁ viyāniyā // “This is the quintessence of wisdom: not to kill anything. Know this to be the legitimate conclusion from the principle of reciprocity with regard to non-killing."
There are innumerable passages on ahiṁsā in the Jain scriptures where Mahāvīra wants to emphasise that we must not be goaded by the passions and impulses of killing. But, to all intents and purposes, we must control our mind to allow us to grow stronger mentally, so that our life can become serene, pure and holy.
In this connection it will not be out of place here, if I mention that though in the Hindu scripture the killing of animals for sacrificial purposes is not despised (tasmad yajñe vadho 'vadhaḥ (Manu V. 39),