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STUDIES IN JAINISM
We may now consider some of the moral and pratical implications of the social ethics as expressed in the practice of aņuvratas in social morality. Ahimsā is the most important vrata to be practised by the Jainas. All vratas are subordinated to the ahimsãvrata. In the practice of other vratas we should keep in mind that himsā should be avoided.
The connotation of the concept of ahimsā has been taken in a wider sense when it is to be applied to the practice of the vrata by householders as we have called them citizens in a broad sense. A person living in a society should not injure any living being as far as possible and intentionally. He should avoid himsă of any kind. And ahimsā has been defined as abstenance from injury to living being caused intentionally or out of emotional disturbance like prejudice, hatred and such harmful psychic disturbance. We have to control ourselves. One should not be an agent for such himsā. This is sthūla himsä. It is not as regorous as is to be followed by the munis. Every citizen can practise such type of the ahimsā vrata with ease and for the benefit of society. Even here certain forins of injury have been permitted in exceptional circumstances. While performing the daily duties like ploughing the field, one is aware that some form of injury to minute living being cannot be avoided. And for fear of that, we cannot give up activity which is primarily for the social good and social responsibility. This is Ārambha hiinsā, Similarly it is the duty of a soldier, and as a matter of fact of all of us in times of emergencies in the present day society, to defend our honour and to fight for the righteous cause, even if it involves certain amount of himsā. Otherwise we shall be failing in our duty to society. This is virodha hiinsa. Even in such cases of violence there should be no wanton and senseless killing. Least amount of violence should be used and without harbouring ill will against the agress We may resist agression, but should not hate the agreesor. In the Yaśastilaka Somadeva forbids a Ksatriya to avoid indiscriminate killing. For Gandhiji non-violence was a creed. Yet under certain exceptional circumstances, he advocated the use of violence for the promotion of a just cause. He advised the women to defend themselves even with arms against the attack of the goondas. He took part in the Boer war and the Zulu rebellion. He enlisted soldiers in the first World war. Gandhiji said, "I do believe that
