Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 12

chats turne following the principle of sanctity or kife' rather thrin sictity office. The late Prime Minister of India, Ptr Jawaharlal Nehru had once observed in a Mahavira Jayanti function in New Dethi, “The present world is engulfed in a dangerous situation. The times are horrible and terrifying You should remember what Lord Mahavira had said, and follow it faithfully.**
The New York Times has given publicity to this news on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti celebrations; “The spread of Jainism outside India has been seriously hampered because its clergy or monks lead a singularly circumscribed life....... Banjamin and Steele said the prime attraction for them was the Jain priscipal of non-violence". (27th March 1972).
Tirtha nkara Mahavira in his sermon on perennial peace had admonished : "All miseries and calamities spring up from violence or the attitude of cruelty. The weapon of non-violence and universal brotherhood is invincible". The late President of Indian Republic, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, bad made an appeal to Jain savants regarding the present world and sought their cooperation. He observed "At this juncture Jain seers and saints can guide us and show us the path for perennial and unperturbed peace."
Lord Mahavira besides preaching the doctrine of sanctity of life advised all people to realise that they possess divinity although latent in them, and by their strenvous, sincere and genuine efforts they can attain Godhood. We are the architect of our dismal or glorious future. No outward agency can retard or disturb the working of karmic forces. Swami Vivekananda in his essay on Life After Death says: Blame none for your own faults. Stand upon your own feet and take the whole responsibility upon your ownselves. These miseris that I am suffering are of my own doing and that very thing proves that it will have to be undone by me