Some Historical Jaina Kings and Heros

Author(s): Kamtaprasad Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 16

satiate their animal craving. The simple and innocent are punished and made to suffer all the hardships that a slave life brings in its train. Belief in the survival of the fittest, which has become the accepted doctrine of the world, has beguiled them and the people care but little for the spiritual good of their own souls or of their fellow beings. But long ago the Great Hero of India warned these arrogant people. He pointed out to them their mistakes in the remarkable words quoted above. To conquer a valiant foe is no victory. True victory consists in subduing one's lower nature. Vardhamana said that everyone should observe the vow of Ahimsa--the Principle of Universal Love and non-injury-to obtain it. It is the only remcdy which can enable man to get rid of the brute that normally is suprior in him.
A true follower of the Great Hero, Mahavira Vardhamana, will then, do nothing by thought, spccch or action, to hurt his fellow beings. He will not only let others live but will help them to livc; and if in carrying out this duty he is required to turn to sword and rifle, he will not shrink from it. Yet at this cxtrcmc point too, he will never forget his sublime Principlc of Ahimsa. While toiling in the world, hc ought in fact to keep always in mind the blesscd tcaching of Vardhamana: “Do not destroy life, unless it is absolutely neccessary for the maintenance