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6
Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra
Equality
Mahāvīra laid great stress on the equality of all human beings. Stressing action and not birth as a determining factor of superiority was a radical step in the teachings of Mahāvīra. He proclaimed, “A person does not become a monk by merely tonsuring, nor a Brahmin by reciting the Oṁkāra mantra, nor a Muni by living in the forest, nor a hermit by wearing clothes woven out of kuśa grass. One becomes a monk by equanimity, a Brahmin by celibacy, a Muni by his knowledge and a hermit by his austerities. "O" He boldly condemned the caste system based on birth alone for the defects that had crept in it at that time.
Lord Mahāvīra had great regard for women. He said that both men and women were eligible to attain emancipation after destroying the passions and karmas. He declared, “There are many virtuous women who are famous for their purity and chastity. They are like the goddesses before whom even the celestials bow."!»
Importance of Human Effort The importance of human effort is emphasised by Mahāvīra, which rules supreme in Jainism. He asserts in Uttarādhyayanasūtra,"- "This life is most difficult to obtain. Just as the dry leaves of a tree wither away, so also when duration of life terminates human life too comes to an end." It is only the ignorant who do cruel acts and hence are tied to the cycle of birth and death. In Daśavaikālika-sūtra" it is said, “One should endeavour on the path of righteousness before old age creeps up, the senses become feeble and man falls prey to all kinds of diseases."
Dharma preached by Mahāvīra is called Vītarāga Dharma. He himself practised it first and then preached the same to others.
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