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Timeless Message of Bhagwan Mahavira accepting everything blindly and to reject what was worth rejecting. In short he wanted people to show courage of conviction.
A householder, he said, had also certain duties to perform. A sadhu had to observe five mahavrat (vows) and for householder he ordained twelve vrat - five anuvrat and seven shikshavrat. If these are observed scrupulously, a person can be said to have led a meaningful life. Mahavira was not for religious disputes and averred that every opinion had some truth, for truth was relative. He urged people to practise nonviolence in conduct, anekanant in thought and syadvad in speech. He said, “Religion is supreme. Non-violence, restraint and penance are its chief attributes. One, whose mind is turned to religion, is revered even by gods. He stressed the importance of five mahavrat (five yama) and they are valid today as they were 2600 years ago.
The first mahavrat is non-violence. He said, "The one you want to kill is your ownself and the one you want to rule over is also your ownself. Therefore a truly enlightened soul will never think of killing anyone or ruling over anyone. Nor does he cause pains to anyone." Non-violence is the basic postulate of Jain religion. It is at the heart of the religion and the concept of 'live and let live' is its cornerstone. All are equal, it says, and therefore let everyone live happily and let no one be the cause of unhappiness to others. Violence results in the formation of karma. Bad conduct, lying and indolence are attributes of violence. Truth, astey (non-stealing), celibacy and detachment are attributes of non-violence. It is rightly said that 'war is born in the hearts of men'. Non-violence in thought is reflected in anekant.
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