Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

Page 70

Practicability Of Ahimsā
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posed a problem, it has been convincingly answered in the same work in the following way
जदं चरे जदं चिट्टे जदमासे जदं सये। ve stout trout gaiari OT 45392 11 1013
that is, “The ascetic should walk with care and vigilence, should stand with care and caution, should sit after slowly cleansing the seat, should sleep after carefully cleansing the bed, should take meals cautiously, and should speak carefully by regulating the use of language and by this way there will be no bondage of sin.”
In this way, according to the Jaina scriptures, an ascetic can practise Ahirsā to the maximum extent possible.
Thus, it is quite obvious that the vow of Ahimsā can be conveniently put into actual practice both by the householders and the ascetics and that too in full conformity with the various injunctions laid down by the Jaina scriptures. The fear of impracticability of Ahimsā way of behaviour is, in fact, really unfounded because this way has been very meticulously and successfully followed not only by those who are in the ascetic stage of life but also by a large number of persons in the householder's stage of life. Both the ascetic and the lay followers of Jaina religion have proved beyond doubt that the vow of Ahiṁsā is quite compatible with their respective fields of activities and that the Ahimsā can very well be a definite mode of life which does not come in the way of even achieving excellence in the different walks of life. This can be easy seen from the examples of Jaina householders from ancient times to the present day. The Jaina householders have been very famous for so many centuries as successful traders, businessmen, indigenous bankers, jewellers, and industrialists. Again, in the field of agriculture also, they have earned the name as clever and industrious cultivators and the covetable honour of being the first 'Krishipandita' in Independent India has gone to a Jaina farmer from Kolhapur Region in Maharashtra State. Even in the political and military history of India we find many eminent Jaina personalities who showed by their example that they could attain highest ranks in these fields while leading lives of pious householders. There had been remarkable Jaina monarchs like Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya of Magadha, King Kharvel of Kalinga, Maharaja Kumarpala of Gujarat and Raja Amogha Varsha of Karnatak and illustrious Chief Ministers like Bhamasha of Mewar, Vastupala and Tejapala in Gujarath, etc., during the ancient and medieval history of India.