Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 66

The Jains through Time
Influential Jain Households
the offices they occupied whilst still I have noticed throughout all these years continuing to serve their own community that some wealthy Jain families owe their and religion. prosperity to the proper practice of their religion. I have seen much evidence of the Jains shravaks were particularly influential in virtues of truthfulness, adaptability and the daily administration of Rajasthan and fearlessness in their individual personalities. also took a lead in local politics. Shri A non-addictive lifestyle, close family ties Manmal Jain Martand writes that the Jains and á natural inclination to do good for played a prominent role in the building up others, are the hallmark of their harmonious of Rajasthan. Though no known Jain king existence within the community. Man is not actually ruled there, in many instances Jains just a painting that can be hung up or were regarded as king-makers. So whilst moved around by others, neither is he a kite Rajasthan is not Jainism's royal ground, still that can be raised up or brought down with it honours the Jain community as 'builders' a jerk according to the whim of someone of the state. I am sure no objections will be else. It is only by his own virtues that a man raised if I say that those model Jains rises. Jainism's stress on self-reliance and demonstrated true greatness of character in individual initiative has always made it their role as Rajasthan's developers and popular with those willing to take defenders. I have seen how Jain farresponsibility for their own well-being and sightedness and political astuteness helped their actions towards others. Thus in many shape the history of Udaipur, Jodhpur, kingdoms in North and Central India, these Bikaner, Sirohi, Kishangad and other qualities elevated members of the Jain princely states. It was on the deeply community to responsible positions in the ingrained principles of these people that the administration. They became ministers, foundations of the citadel of Jainism was army commanders, treasury officials, judges raised. The concept of ahimsa caused the and law officers, and brought approbation to Jains to scale the peaks of a higher
fain-Gaurav Smrinyan, Shri Manmal Jain Martand, p.353