Mahavira Life and Philosophy

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

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the king of South and a great Jain devotee, had waged several wars himself. It is interesting to note that he had composed a book on Jain Ethics in the battle-field.
R. B Dr. G. H. Ojha's remarks are significant, Valour is not the monopoly of any particular community. India has produced chivalrous persons in every community. Rajputana has always been the land of the brave. The Jains have never lagged behind in this respect, inspite of the prominent place alloted to compassion in Jainism. Since many centuries the Jains have been occupying the exalted offices of the ministers and the like. In the hour of national calamity they bad rendered remarkable services, references whereof occur in history." .
The fundamental point is that one should not resort to violence as far as possible. He should not take pleasure in case he happens to destroy life under compulsion. In his heart the genial current of compassion should never stop its inner flow. Although a warrior or a monarch, he will never touch wine or meat, since they disturb the purity of mind and equanimity, which are the guiding factors to take the right decision under the circumstances. Tolstoy has said, “I flatly declare that a man fed on whisky and dead bodies cannot do the finest work of which he is capable." (Leaders of Modern Thought P. 35)" The vision of the non-violent householder is not blurred by the pomp or power of the