Bhagwan Mahavir Ke Siddhanto Ki Aaj Ke Yuga Me Upayogita

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhagwan Mahavir ke Siddhanto ki Aaj ke Yuga me Upayogita" by Rina Jaroli, focusing on its relevance in the current era:

The book, "The Utility of Lord Mahavir's Principles in the Present Age," by Rina Jaroli, argues that Lord Mahavir's teachings are not ancient relics but are exceptionally relevant and "modern, radical, dynamic, and up-to-date" for contemporary times. The author posits that Mahavir, through his attainment of Kevalgyan (absolute knowledge), understood the fundamental nature of existence, individuals, and the universe. His insights are presented as timeless truths that remain pertinent even after twenty-five centuries. The text suggests that rather than trying to connect with Mahavir from the past, people should strive to integrate his principles into their present lives.

Core Concepts and Their Modern Relevance:

• Kevalgyan and Consciousness: Mahavir embodied mindfulness and constant awareness, being conscious of his internal states and the external world. This state of heightened awareness, achieved through self-experience rather than mere sensory perception, is presented as the true path to "modernity" and living a fulfilling life.

• The Present Era: The author characterizes the modern age as one of stress, conflict, instability, suppressed values, and inequality. Individuals often feel isolated despite being in crowds, and vice versa. Mahavir, a visionary, is portrayed as someone who challenged societal inertia, blind faith, and hollowness, while also urging individuals to free themselves from negligence and vices.

• Ahimsa (Non-violence):

  • Global Peace: In an age marked by the threat of war and the proliferation of destructive weapons, Mahavir's emphasis on Ahimsa is presented as the sole path to peace. Despite efforts by international organizations like the UN, insecurity and cold wars persist, making Ahimsa the ultimate solution.
  • Broader Definition of Violence: Mahavir's definition of violence extends beyond physical harm to include exploitation, infringement of freedom, and causing suffering. He considered actions like overburdening laborers ('aibhaar') and depriving beings of food and water ('mattapaan viccheae') as forms of violence.
  • Universal Brotherhood: By stating "Eke aaya" (the soul is one in essence), Mahavir promoted universal brotherhood. Ahimsa is defined as expanding the sense of 'self' to the point where the 'other' ceases to be distinct.
  • Eternal Dharma: Mahavir's preachings emphasize not harming, dominating, oppressing, or agitating any living being, defining this as the "eternal, steadfast, and ancient Dharma." The practice of seeking forgiveness from and forgiving all beings demonstrates a spirit of universal friendship.
  • Scientific Basis: The text highlights Mahavir's early recognition of life in even the subtlest forms of existence (earth, water, fire, air, plants), which has since been scientifically validated. His internal introspection served as his laboratory for discovering profound experiential truths.
  • Harmonious Living: Ahimsa is achieved when individuals are consciously aware and live harmoniously with objects and other beings, remaining undisturbed themselves and allowing others to do the same. This principle is seen as foundational for establishing global peace and happiness.

• Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment):

  • Combating Materialism: Mahavir defined 'Parigraha' as attachment or excessive desire. Today, this translates to hoarding, black marketing, and corruption stemming from the pursuit of more than one's needs. Attachment to wealth, property, and possessions leads to distraction.
  • True Meaning of Non-possession: Aparigraha involves renouncing attachment to possessions and, more importantly, relinquishing the very sense of ownership. Since desires are infinite while resources are limited, the continuous pursuit of possessions fuels attachment.
  • Ending Exploitation: Mahavir's truth regarding Aparigraha remains as relevant today for ending economic disparity, materialism, and exploitation. It means not asserting ownership over objects and not allowing attachment to cloud one's true nature. It also entails recognizing the constantly changing nature of things and beings, making static attachment impossible.
  • Holistic Understanding: True understanding of self, others, individuals, and the world naturally leads to Aparigraha. Knowing one's own happiness and sorrow allows for understanding that of others. Seeing the 'self' in the 'other' prevents causing harm or hindering others' happiness.
  • Transforming the World: Aparigraha is presented as a powerful remedy for reshaping the world.

• Classless Society:

  • Equality Beyond Divisions: Mahavir advocated for a society free from divisions based on language, color, or gender. He asserted that caste or religious identity is not determined by birth but by one's actions (karma).
  • True Spirituality: The text emphasizes that mere outward appearances (like shaved heads for monks or chanting for Brahmins) do not signify true spiritual attainment. Inner purity and conduct are paramount.
  • Overcoming Prejudice: To combat casteism, racial conflict, and mutual hatred, the need for affection, goodwill, and compassion is highlighted. The idea of the wealthy acting as trustees can eliminate exploitation.
  • Critique of Materialistic Ideologies: While acknowledging that thinkers like Karl Marx approached the concept of a classless society, the text critiques the violence that arose from dogmatism in their implementation. It suggests they partially grasped the nature of things but failed to align with their constant progress and overlooked the concept of permanence ('dhrauvya').

• Anekantavada (Non-absolutism/Pluralism):

  • Intellectual Openness: Anekantavada is presented as a new intellectual perspective and a broader manifestation of Ahimsa. It involves understanding others' viewpoints without being swayed by personal biases.
  • Multi-faceted Reality: Since objects and knowledge are multi-dimensional and have multiple aspects, no single opinion, doctrine, or principle can be considered absolutely true. Full knowledge encompasses all aspects of an object.
  • Embracing Diversity of Views: Mahavir taught that things are constantly changing, and no one can claim complete knowledge. Therefore, accepting others' perspectives alongside one's own is the essence of Anekantavada.
  • Resolving Conflict: By logically structuring Anekantavada as Syadvada (the doctrine of "may be"), which considers seven aspects of a statement (existence, non-existence, etc.), Mahavir provided a tool to resolve modern tensions, conflicts, and animosities. A change in perspective can transform reality.

• Religion Beyond Sectarianism (Swabhav mein sthir hona - Remaining in one's true nature):

  • The Dharma of Nature: Mahavir did not aim to establish a new religion but to guide people towards their inherent nature, which is the true Dharma. It involves seeing and knowing things as they truly are.
  • Living in Accordance with Reality: Dharma is about remaining in one's true self while being consciously connected to the ever-changing aspects of existence. It is the sustenance of life and the essence of the soul.
  • Bridging Ideals and Reality: Mahavir advocated for living in the present reality, without creating a gap between what "is" and what "should be," thus integrating ideals and actuality.

• Victory Over Mental Afflictions (Atmanushasan - Self-discipline):

  • Mind-Body Connection: The text highlights the decline in health in the modern era, with many diseases linked to the mind. Stress, fear, greed, and dissatisfaction affect the nervous system, impacting circulation and bodily functions.
  • Conquering Inner Enemies: Controlling mental afflictions like anger, greed, and discontent is crucial for overcoming violence, crime, and corruption in the present age. True happiness lies in residing in the soul's natural state of simplicity, equanimity, absence of enmity, and non-greed.
  • Psychological Basis of Disease: Psychology and medicine confirm that anger leads to ulcers, despair to indigestion, and worry to heart disease and high blood pressure. Many modern ailments originate in the mind, fueled by lack of self-control and negative desires.
  • Focus on Internal Purity: While science focuses on external pathogens, Mahavir's teachings address the internal "pathogens" of lust, anger, attachment, ego, selfishness, deceit, fear, and dissatisfaction.
  • Time is Precious: Mahavir's message of "Samay Gomay Ma Pramayay" (Do not be negligent even for a moment) underscores the value of time, comparing human life to a dewdrop on a blade of grass. The relevance of spiritual practice remains undiminished even in an era of changing values.

Conclusion:

The book concludes by asserting the undeniable utility of Mahavir's principles in the present age. It suggests that scientific validation of concepts like karma, genetic codes, and atomic theories, among others, should inspire people to connect with Mahavir's teachings. By savoring the "nectar" of his wisdom, individuals can refine their lives. Mahavir's proclamation from millennia ago remains relevant and worthy of adoption today, just as the functioning of good deeds is not halted during the rise of negative karma.