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of time because of this tolerant attitude imbibed in the doctrine of Naya.
Another great message of Mahavira to mankind is the doctrine of aparigraha or freedom from possession. By becoming a monk, he renounced everything by breaking all worldly ties. This doctrine enables a person to cut off the ties of attachment and desire, making him indifferent to all agreeable and disagreeable sensations of sound, touch, colour and smell. 10 It leads to the feeling of contentment; which cannot be bought by wealth, pomp and power of the world. Had it been possible, the kings and wealthy persons would certainly have attained it. It can certainly be realized through patience, forbearance, self-denial, forgiveness, humanity, compassion, suffering and sacrifice. This doctrine created healthy atmosphere in the society. Several kings, ministers and wealthy merchants led simple lives thinking wealth and power not for their own but for the welfare of all living beings.
was a decay of morals of the monastic order. He considered it to be the highest austerity. This vow of chastity requires the avoidance of sexual pleasure. For its attainment, a person should desist from continually discussing topics relating to women. He should not regard and contemplate the lovely forms of women. He should not recall to his mind the pleasures and amusements he formerly had with women. He should not eat and drink too much. He should not drink liquer or eat highly seasoned food. He should not eccupy a bed or a couch belonging to women. 1 2
One special contribution of Mahavira is that he preached his doctrines in the language of the masses known as the old Ardha Magadhi dialect which soon grew as literary language. Traditionally the eleven Angas based on the teaching of Mahavira were originally in ArdhaMagadhi. This literature seems to have been handed down orally in the form of traditions, and it took literary form after much considerable time. It underwent many changes in language and subjectmatter. The prscentcanon does not belong to one period, but the language of the available canon, however, shows a great influence of Maharashtrian Prakrit.
While Parsva taught only four vows for the realization of absolute happiness, Mahavira taught five in all making chastity a separate vow altogether. 11 He was compelled to do this because there
10. Acharanga 15-i-v. 11. Uttaradhyayanasutra, XXIII, 26-27 11. Uttaradhyayanasytıy, XVI.
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