Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 67

The Jains through Time
consciousness and its practice gave them the and obeys the teachings of the Jinas status of great heroes.
(Tirthankars), could be held in even greater
esteem than a sadhu. The beginnings of a tradition of responsibility towards family, society and Philanthropist Bhamashah nation do not lie in the modern age; they Rajasthan really is such a special place; it has were initiated by the shravaks of Mahavir's been irrigated with the gentle waters of the era. Tirthankar Mahavir himself took into deeds of the Jain shravaks. Heroes of Jainism consideration which practices would be have shown great patriotism and public beneficial to the individual, society and the spiritedness and have thus inscribed country, and laid down a process whereby themselves upon my memory. Among those spiritual purification could be sought by who served their king and country shravaks. Those who see Jainism as a religion wholeheartedly, Bhamashah's name stands where the spiritual path starts only with out as worthy of a most honourable renunciation of the world will be surprised mention. What can I say about this at the fact that Tirthankar Mahavir took singularly humble man who gave all his laymen and women into his religious wealth to King Maharana Pratap, when the community and showed them the way to latter was on the point of admitting defeat spiritual development. It is worth noting and leaving Mewar in despair? Without that when Anand, the first shravak devotee of Bhamashah's generous support, the history Tirthankar Mahavir, came and knelt at his of Mewar would have been very different. feet and asked to take diksha (initiation) for This gesture of Bhamashah's is highly his own spiritual progress, Mahavir said to commendable, and his clear understanding him, “Anand! Even as a shravak, you can of the concept of dana (donation) has progress towards self-realisation. A impressed me tremendously. He obviously worshipful Jain householder who discharges believed that, along with the religious his duties, does not shirk his responsibilities orders, individuals, society, and the nation