Mahavir Prince Of Peace

Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Page 51

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Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
Our happiness is not separate from the happiness of all those around us, including the animal kingdom.
FRIEND TO ALL
HE YOUNG BOY GREY INTO A HANDSOME PRINCE His limbs were strong and firm, his steps sure and true, his face fair and bright, and his deep eyes shone with wisdom and joy. Together with his young friends he would ride out among the hills and forests, sporting in clear lalces, chasing monkeys, wrestling and playing games. But he
was different from his aristocratic friends. They were all fond of hunting, which they considered the sport of princes. They liked to spend all day absorbed in the chase, matching their skills with bow and arrow, and their strength with the knife, against the fear and flight of the wild beasts of the forest. If they found no beasts to hunt, they would slay the defenseless birds as they perched in the branches of trees or flew overhead. This was the way all royal sons were trained for combat, though for the young noblemen it was more than training-It was their favorite sport to capture, injure and kill the innocent animals of the forest.
Vardhamana took no part in this sport. As he passed through the countryside he looked upon all life, both great and small, as worthy of his care and consideration. For him it was unthinkable to give pain to another living creature, no matter how insignificant that creature may be.
"All have the right to live. Since I have not the power to give life, I do not have the right to take it, he reasoned. The animals of the forest and the birds of the air have been given freedom. Life and freedom are dear to us all, so they must also be dear to them. Who are we to take life and freedom from them? Better we should show them love and compassion, for our happiness is not separate from the happiness of all those around us, including the animal kingdom. How can we find peace if we give others pain? We should treat all others as we would wish to be treated ourselves."
In this spirit Vardhamana enjoyed the beauty of nature, and encouraged his friends to do the same. By
Each evening he would garter his family and friends and speak to the front the scriptures, then sing devorrow
songs to awaken the mer spiritual sentimento