________________
220
Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarūpa
violence. Non-violence, truth, non-stealing and purity are essential for all the four castes.
In the epics there is no direct exposition of non-violence. It has been established through the character of Rāma in the Valmīki Rāmāyāna. Non-violence. truth, self-restraint, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, hospitality, helping even enemies, purity of mind, speech and action have been put forth for the readers to emulate them. The king, children, and the aged should be given all protection. In the Mahābhārata non-violence is of greater importance than piety and pelf. All good qualities are, in a way, characteristics of non-violence. It has been placed under the curbing of passions along with forgiveness, patience and equanimity. It excels service, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, penance, charity, service of the preceptor and pilgrimage. The Bhagavatgitā says, "The worship of gods, Brahmanas, teachers and scholars as also purity, simplicity, chastity and non-violence are physical penances, whereas violent proctivities are indicative of luxuriousness and ignorance. The Vayupurāna says—"one must be nonviolent to all by mind, speech and action" Visnupurāna, says, "Violence is the mate of irreligion. This is the root cause of all sins. Its son is falsehood and daughter evil actions. They are all direct roads to hell.' urana says, "Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness lead to both worldly prosperity and beatitude. Purity, contentment, penance, self-study, prayers to God, not to injure others in any way are all forms of non-violence. Matsyapurāņa holds that non-violence is one of the vows of ascetics. The observance of non-violence is many times more meritorious than serious study of all the four Vedas, or always speaking nothing but the truth. Naradapurāna says that truth is what hurts none. It has a conciliatory approach rather than a confrontationist one. Vrhaddharmapurāņa says that faith, hospitality, friendly dealings with all and self-purification are various manifestations of non-violence itself. Kurmapurana says that non-violence, sweet words, simpleheartedness and the like are beneficial to all castes. Nārada said to Dharmarāja that non-violence is the most prominent characteristic of Dharma which has twenty-nine other traits.
In the philosophical works, however, non-violence has not been prominently treated. A non-violent person is always compassionate. This is how salvation is attained. He who is a strict vegetarian can befriend all provided he hurts none by mind, speech and action The Sankhya philosophy says that violence is violence , no matter it may be for sacrificial purposes.
Buddhism originated in India but spread to many other countries because of its emphasis on non-violence. Not only sentient beings but also plants must not be hurt. A violent person can never be good or Arya. The
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
