Book Title: Jains Through Time
Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Page 106
________________ The Jains through Time 107 took up weapons. Both were responsible for mankind today as a common ideal. The much slaughter and both committed acts of protection of a refugee is a precept espoused violence. Yet Chetak died a hero's death and by all who call themselves humanitarians. ascended to heaven, whereas when Kunik Raja Chetak followed this ideal and died, he went to hell. Why is it that one war therefore he went to heaven, whereas Kunik had two such very opposite results. Both fought for the debased ideal of selftook part in the combat and were jointly aggrandisement, committing vicious acts responsible for it. If they were both partners and hideous injustices against his little in this enterprise, why were the fruits of brother by depriving him of his rights, and their actions so entirely different? How did so went straight to hell. Which of them this come about? Clearly these two opposite fought on the side of religion? King Chetak effects have arisen due to an in-depth fought a religious war and went to heaven. discriminatory approach towards the Kunik fought too, but in opposing the understanding of violence and non- religious ideal, went to hell. It is apparent violence. then that questions of violence and non violence cannot be resolved externally; they Protecting a refugee is a religious duty can only be solved by inner reflection. The because the refugee is in distress and nature of any action is decided by intention, oppressed by injustice. Death is poised like a and the measure of himsa and ahimsa should sword above his head and he is obliged to be defined solely upon this intention. flee hither and thither to find protection. To defend him is to defend a principle, and to in the administration of justice, a system of support him is to support an ethical punishment is set up to control the growth standpoint. To help innocent people who of acts of atrocious violence, wrongdoing are oppressed or persecuted is the essence of and savagery because if these are not religion. This holds good not only in the controlled, they will increase day by day. It is Indian tradition but is also accepted by all absolutely vital to prevent these dreadful Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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