Book Title: Kamdhenu The Wish Cow Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia Publisher: Ahimsa Research FoundationPage 47
________________ KAMADHENU>> Later while making a touching comment on the violent culture of the foreign countries, Swami Vivekanand said, "You are able to kill an elephant with a bullet from your gun, but you cannot bring alive an ant." Bhagawan Mahaveer has mentioned about sadhan shuddhi purity of means, while referring to economic and material progress. Religion is not a hurdle in the way of economic progress. Along with purity of means, he has also mentioned discretion and a limit on parigraha the desire to possess. Many of Mahaveer's followers were economically prosperous. If we were to refer to the Shravak Anand, he had thousands of acres of land, thousands of Goshalas, hundreds of vehicles, thousands of godowns and crores together invested in business. He was an avowed Shravak. He had never resorted to dubious means while earning money. He had a vow of limit on possession. He put his additional wealth to good use. Riches were following him, he was not chasing them. He did not have even an iota of attachment for wealth; he was beyond desire. — Whether it is an individual, a family or a nation, this feeling of ownership possession becomes the cause of all agitation. All wealth, possessions or material happiness gained through impure means eventually leads to unhappiness. This applies to a society, a State or a government. When a State collects revenue by way of taxes on such businesses as gambling, lottery, night clubs, obscene video channels and films, such revenue not only does nothing good for the public but certainly leads to their moral degradation. States which do not ban - 45Page Navigation
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