Journey Of Ahimsa

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust

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prohibit killing of any type during Paryushan and to set free the prisoners languishing in jails for years. Akbar accepted all his demands and instead of eight days of Paryushan, he prohibited killing of animals for 12 days in Gujarat, Malva, Ajmer, Delhi Fatehpur, Lahore and Multan and also in pilgrim centers in and around Girnar, Taranga, Shatrunjay, Kesariyaji, Abu, Rajgrihi and Sametshikhar. He was so impressed by the Acharya's concern for human welfare that he conferred the title of Jagadguru (world teacher) on him.
Hemchandracharya,
a
Jain
Acharya who is known as kalikalsarvagna - one who is omniscient - occupies a place of pride in the spiritual history of India. King Kumarpal, inspired by his guru, performed many a deed for which he is justly remembered. In Vikram Samvat 1199, at the age of fifty, he was crowned the king of Gujarat. Inspired by Hemchandracharya, he issued a proclamation - first of its kind - in favor of non-violence. He declared : "Many people live by the sword and kill each other. It's an affront to the king. Lying is evil, extra-marital relationship is a greater evil. But of all the evils,
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A Journey of Ahimsa