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saints who had washod off the blood-soiled surface of Bharata through the sacred and genial current of non-injury and universal brother-hood, the name of Lord Mahavira shine like Sun in the firmamcat. The Late erudita Hindu scholar of reputo Lokmanya B. G. Tilak had made this categorically conspicuous in his address at Baroda:- "Lord Mahavira again brought into prominence the doctrine of Jainism. Jain religion was prevalent in India before the dawn of Buddhism. It is. very unfortunate that in ancient times innumerable, innocent and mute animals were butchored and sacrificed to propitiate some imaginary god or goddess. The proofs in support of this fact arc witnessed in several poetic compositions such as Megha Doota of Poct Kalidasa. The credit of the disappearance of this horrible massacre of innocent animals from the Brahmanical religion (Hinduism) goes to the share of Jainism". The observations of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation are very illuminating in this context; "If anybody has scientifically developed and glorified the doctrine of non-injury (Ahimsa) it was Lord Mahavira. It is to be regretted that the modern society does not follow the Lord properly. I implore you to properly comprehend the gospel of Lord Mahavira, ponder over it and try your level best to translate His teachings into practical life."
Materially affluent countries which are on the apex of material prosperity and progress are really far from mentab and spiritual peace which becomes apparent due to many suicide-cases and other alarming incidents. It is reported that, "In America recorded suicides average somewhere between twenty-two to twenty-five thousand anaually, ...or one suicide every 26 minutes. In England and Wales 40000 attempt suicide and 5000 succeed in taking their own lives yearly. The reasons. of suicide are said to be loneliness, interpersonal difficulties, guilt, sudden shock, revenge, etc.” (The Plain Truth, A Magazide of Understanding August 1971, England). Life of luxury and plenty does not provide real peace of mind and inner
