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A Journey of Ahimsa unfavourable calamities on Mahavira in quick succession. In one night he created twenty dreadful calamities on Mahavira. For about six months, Bhagwan Mahavira did not get food worth consumption and the body suffered, but it withstood the ordeal caused by Sangama. At last Sangama stood defeated and bowed at his feet. Two drops of tears wailed up in Mahavira's eyes. This had happened for the first time in Mahavira's life, tears in eyes for Sangama had formed many karma in his efforts to harass Mahavira. This shows that a truly compassionate soul will show compassion even to enemies. One, who recognises enemy as an enemy, is Vir; but, one who considers an enemy as a friend is Mahavira.
Bhagwan Mahavira's non-violence is based on two strong pillars - fearlessness and friendship. He said : Violence is a mental complex, a state of mind. It is death personified and leads one to hell. It serves no useful purpose and destroys one and all. His life and message led to new thinking and a new way of life. Living based on non-violence finally gave birth to the philosophy of equality and of anekant (the doctrine of manifold aspects). Thus it fostered peaceful co-existence and became the foundation for social life and awakening of human consciousness.
During pre-historic period, the first Jain Trithankar Bhagwan Rishabhdev had given the message of non-violence, in the famous centre of pilgrimage, Shatrunjay, sitting under the rayan tree. Therefore, the first temple in Jain religion is a tree temple. The 22nd Trithankar Neminath, who was prince Nem, was to marry princess Rajul and at that time, he heard painful cries of animals. On inquiry, he learnt from his charioteer that the animals were being killed to be served
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