Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 68

The Jains through Time
moment that Bhamashah, instead of spending his wealth on temple buildings, donated his entire fortune, which historian Colonel Todd calculates as sufficient to keep an army of 25,000 in the field for twelve years 25, to the national cause. This true philanthropist spurned the idea of winning immortal fame by building temples, giving his money instead for the defence of his country. He did this despite knowing that violence would have to occur in fighting for the freedom of the nation. In my view Bhamashah exemplified what it is to be an ideal Jain, one who helps others in difficulty, empathises with others in sorrow and sacrifices all in the cause of duty.
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Maharana Pratap and Bhamashah
should be the recipients of dana; they should It has been fascinating for me to see how be supported as well. He is an example of a Tirthankar Mahavir continued to oppose Jain layman showing that one's country violence, work towards the abolition of should be put before one's own interests. slavery, advocate equal status for women and
work for many other worthy causes, even After the twelfth century, the building of after he achieved Kaivalya. In the final Jain temples became a symbol of pride for moments of his nirvana he sent his disciple royal families and the upper classes in Gautam to stop Agnisharma Brahmin Rajasthan. This was a great period of carrying out the ritual sacrifice of animals. To prosperity for the Jains. It was at this give strength to those without strength was
Jain-Gaurav-Smritiyan, Shri Manmal Jain Martand, p.361