Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 73

The Jains through Time
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phenomenal contribution made in that animal protection was carried out in twelfth ancient era, and concentrate on the events century Gujarat. The impact of his deeds was taking place in the centuries since Christ, I so great that nothing could expunge it from find that Gujarat is eternally in Jainism's the pages of history. I don't know whether debt. The constant presence of the Jains and to begin by praising him, or his disciple, their tireless efforts have made Gujarat the because in this particular case guru and focal point for the belief in and practice of disciple were indiscrete. vegetarianism in India today. Lokmanya Tilak wrote, "The custom of animal The affection between Guru Hemchandra protection and non meat-eating in Gujarat and his disciple Maharaja Siddharaj Jaysingh was due to the influence of Jainism'.' He was such that the gem of Jain literature, the writes of his respect for Jainism's non- Siddhahaimavyakaran, is jointly named after violent tenets, and says that it was the them. The Maharaja was totally devoted to impact of the Jains that made Brahmins Acharya Hemchandra and during his reign refrain from using intoxicants or animals for Gujarat prospered and experienced a sacrifice in their rituals. From then on the burgeoning spirituality. Under the guidance religious observances were conducted of his guru, Siddharaj did all he could for the substituting flour'statues for the live welfare of his kingdom. Though he was a animals. It is only through love for ahimsa follower of the Shaiv religion, the influence and truth that Jainism has grown and of Acharya Hemchandra on him was so prospered, and standing by these principles, powerful, that he made a proclamation it will continue to hold its own.
banning the slaughter of animals on one of
the most important holy festivals of the Acharya Hemchandra: A Prominent Jains, Paryushan. This then became the Patron of Culture and Politics practice at every Jain religious celebration. Under the guidance of Acharya Siddharaj showed his love for his guru by Hemchandra, the widespread work of gilding all the spires of the Jain temples in his
Pacifism and Jainism, Sukhlal Sanghvi, p.15 Vishu Ko Jain Dluarna Ki Den, Edited By Nirmal Kumar. p.23