________________
During Mahavir's time, animals were sacrificed in performing yagna (sacrificial fire) and mute animals were, thus, subjected to cruelty and torture at the altar. This was done in order to achieve moksha or a place in heaven. The kings would not hesitate to fight and kill to satisfy their greed for more lands and to realize their inordinate ambitions. It was believed that those who died fighting on a battlefield would earn a place in heaven and enjoy the proximity of devkanyas (divine women). If victory were achieved, then they would relish its fruit - riches and prosperity. In those days innumerable women were widowed and children rendered orphans. In the orgy of violence, innocent lives were lost.
Mahavir said : "You have no right to kill those whom you can not invest with life. Violence begets violence and revenge begets revenge. Non-violence is the supreme dharma (religion) and violence is the root of all evils."
OVER
He preached the message of nonviolence and peace to the kings of his times. It was an all-encompassing creed extending to the entire living world.
A Journey of Ahimsa
