________________
To punish the wicked is a poble thing. Thomas Jafferson's words are significant, Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." As a matter of fact the avoidance of voluntary or intentional injury has been enjoined upon all the votaries of non-violence. It is therefore consistent with the doctrine of nonviolence to rule over vast territories. It is a histori. cal fact that Jain monarchs such as Bimbasar, Chandragupta' Maurya, Samprati, Kharvela, Amoghvarsha Kumarpala etc., had ruled over the country with remarkable success.
King's sacred duty is to protect the innocent, noble and pious subjects and punish the wicked. If the ruler forgets his responsibility, there will be the rule of anarchy and the people will come to distress. In this context Guru Nanak's observations are significant, "When the strong fall upon the strong, there is little cause for regret, but when a blood-thirsty tiger pounces on defenceless cows, the cowherd must come to their rescue." Every sensible person will agree that the arrogant aggressor must be punished severely so that his criminal tendency may be curbed for ever. The remarks of Sardar Patel are in consonance with the philosophy of Ahimsa, "In this Kaliyuga we shall return Ahimsa for Ahimsa but if some one resorts to force againt us we shall meet it with force." (The Indomitable Sardar P.243).
The celebrated Jain monk Swami Samanta Bhadra writes, "Lord Shanti Nath (the 16th Jain Prophet), when a bouse-holder, had conquered over the multitude of monarchs of the whole world."
