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THE PATH OF ARHAT

Justice T.U.Mehta

MAHAVIRA : A NON-VIOLENT REVOLUTIONARY

Transfer of Embryo , Socio-political conditions, Vajji's democracy, Magadha and Srenika (Bimbisara), Ajatasatru & Vajji's, Princely following of Mahavira, Social Conditions, Intellectual Fervour, Revolutionary push by Mahavira, Significant Events, India's Offer of Protection, Five Resolves at Morak Hermitage, Education rather than exposure, Poisonous fangs of Canda Kausika, State of a Digambara, Association with Gosala, Candana Bala : First Head of Women Disciples, Final Act of Nirjara, Attainment of Kaivalya ,First Ganadharas, Muttanam Moyganam

 

Prof. K. C. Jaina observed, "For Mahavira distinctions of caste, creed or sex did not matter. According to him, salvation is the birth-right of everyone, and it is assured if one follows the prescribed rule of conduct. His doctrine of Karma made the individual conscious of his responsibility for all actions. It also awakened the consciousness that salvation was not a gift or favour but an attainment within the reach of human beings".

The world has witnessed many revolutions - political, social and economic but rarely there was a revolution, utterly silent and totally non-violent. The great revolutionaries like Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Zarathustra and Lao-tse, heralded silent, peaceful and non-violent revolutions in their contemporary societies.

In the long history of mankind, the period, corresponding to 6th - 7th century B. C. is marked by great intellectual cum spiritual fervour throughout the world. It was during this period that the world witnessed the emergence of early Greek philosophers such as Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras, Empidocles and Heraclitus in the West and thinkers like Zarathrustra, Lao-tse, Mahavira and Gautama Buddha in the East.