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Life of Lord Mahāvīra
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philanthropic and humanitarian deeds and institutions which he encouraged.
For Mahāvīra distinctions of caste, creed or sex did not matter. According to him, salvation is the birthright of everyone, and it is assured if one follows the prescribed rules of conduct. His doctrine of Karma (action) made the individual conscious of his responsibility for all actions. It also awakened the consciousness that salvation was not a gift or favour but an attainment within the reach of human beings.
Mahāvīra was tolerant in religious matters. As there were different conflicting religious and philosophical views current in his time, he formulated the scheme of Sjadvāda in which there is room for the consideration of them all. This attitude in religious matters produced an atmosphere of mutual harmony among the followers of different sects, who began to appreciate the views of their opponents as well.
Mahāvīra was a great Māhanal who possessed fully formcd knowledge and insight, who was adored and worshipped by the three worlds, and who was furnished with a wealth of meritorious works. He was known to be a great Guardian because he protected and guarded, with his staff of the Law, all those numerous living beings that in the wilderness of the world were straying or perishing, being devoured or cut as under or picrced through or mutilated or castrated, and with his own hand brought them to the great fold of the Nirvana. He was a great preacher because by means of many discourses and cxplanations he delivered them from cril and with his own hand saved all those numerous living beings that were straying or perishing, and because, overwhelmcd by the power of falsehood and overcast by the densc darkness of the cightfold kinds of works, thcy had lost the true path and were brought back to the right road. He was a great pilots because by means of the boat of Law, with his own liands brought them straight to the shore of the Virana and delivered all thosc numerous living beings that, on the great
1. Upasakadasa-Sutrari, cd. by :1.F.R. HOIRSLI, p. 141. :. Ibid. 3 Ibid. 144.
4. lbid, 140.
