Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Vidya Samsthan

Page 22

taking note of social responsibilities is derogatory both to the individual and society. Mahāvira was neither merely individualistic nor merely socialistic. In his attitude both individual and society are properly reconciled. In fact, Mahavira did not confine himself to individual upliftment, but he dedicated himself to the development of a new creative social order for the healthiest orientation of the individual. Though he was a man of contemplative values, yet social values got his fullest attention. It should be borne in mind that contemplative and social values are not opposed to each other. They are not contradictory but complementary. Mahavira seems to have believed that the urge for the creation of a healthy social order should come as a consequence of spiritual perfection. The evidence to this is that Mahavira did not preach during his twelve years period of spiritual pursuance. He seems to be convinced of the fact that without the basis of spiritual experience, the talk of social reconstruction is vain and does not result in the effective transformation of society. In consequence, it is quite misleading to say that Mahāvira did not care for society and resorted to a place of seclusion. An unbiased eye will find that the greater portion of his life was devoted to having such solutions as may give sound basis to social reconstruction. It is no doubt true that he did not involve himself in superficial struggles of life. This is because of the fact that he wanted to struggle with the fundamental issues of life in order to find an everlasting solution, so that social progress may take place in a right direction. This type of endeavour adhered to by Mahavira is like that of a scientist who, in order to contribute something to society, pursues his researches in a laboratory after withdrawing himself from all sorts of
Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life