Vyasan Mukta Samaj Nirman Ki Disha Me

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Vyasan Mukta Samaj Nirman ki Disha me" by Kanhaiyalal Bahura, based on the provided pages:

The book "Vyasan Mukta Samaj Nirman ki Disha me" (Towards the Construction of a Vice-Free Society) by Kanhaiyalal Bahura, published by Z_Ashtdashi_012049.pdf, argues for the necessity of creating a society free from vices and explores the causes and solutions for addiction.

Why Do People Become Addicted?

The author begins by questioning why individuals develop addictions, as no one is born with them. He highlights key contributing factors identified by psychologists:

• Company (Friends and Peers): Association with friends and companions, whether consciously or unconsciously, leads to adopting bad habits.
• Family Members: Observing family members indulging in vices can lead to their adoption.
• Depression, Failure, and a Sense of Loss: During these times of mental weakness, individuals turn to substances and vices as a perceived escape or solution.
• False Pride and Display of Status: The desire to appear superior or prestigious can drive people towards addictive behaviors.

The Foundation of a Vice-Free Society:

The first step towards building a vice-free society, the author states, involves addressing and educating the public about the dangers of:

• Tobacco, Alcohol, Pan Masala, Gutka, and other Intoxicants: Information about their harmful effects on health, including diseases like cancer and heart disease, needs to be disseminated.

The Four Major Problems for Administration and Police:

The text identifies four critical issues that, if resolved, would significantly reduce crime by half:

1. Alcohol: Alcohol consumption is directly linked to a decline in character for both men and women. It is also a primary source of illegitimate children.
2. Narcotics (Drugs): Similar to alcohol, drugs contribute to societal decay.
3. Gambling: This is identified as a major societal ill.
4. Immorality: This encompasses a range of unethical behaviors. The text specifically notes the strong connection between prostitution and alcohol consumption.

Forms of Tobacco Consumption:

The book lists numerous ways tobacco is consumed: bidis, cigarettes, zarda, kheni, chilam, cigar, gutka, naswar, tobacco-containing toothpaste, gudaku, masheri, pan masala, kimam, and other related products.

Literal Meaning of "Vyasan" (Vice):

The author explains that the literal meaning of "vyasan" includes addiction, defects arising from desire and anger, futile efforts, calamities, and suffering. Most religions, he notes, universally condemn vices, particularly intoxication and addiction.

Lord Mahavir's "Sapt Kavyasan" (Seven Major Vices):

The text emphasizes Lord Mahavir's teachings on abstaining from seven specific major vices:

1. Gambling
2. Meat Consumption
3. Alcohol
4. Theft
5. Adultery (Illicit sexual relations with another's spouse)
6. Prostitution
7. Hunting

The Power of Renunciation:

The author strongly asserts that if individuals completely renounce these seven major vices, regardless of their adherence to other religious practices, a healthy society will naturally emerge. He believes this would lead to the eradication of current major problems like environmental degradation, immorality, chaos, terrorism, and widespread violence.

Other Addictive Substances:

Beyond alcohol and tobacco, the book also lists other harmful substances: opium, bhang, ganja, charas, brown sugar, heroin, and smack.

Harmful Consequences:

The text details the detrimental effects of these vices on various parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, vocal cords, lungs, esophagus, and bladder. It lists potential health issues like cancer, heart attacks, paralysis, high blood pressure, bad breath, tooth decay, physical weakness, and gangrene.

Shocking Statistics:

The book presents alarming figures regarding the prevalence of addiction in India:

• 20 lakh people suffer from cancer, and 30 lakh from heart disease.
• One-third of cancer cases and 40% of heart disease cases are linked to tobacco, and 20% to alcohol.
• Tobacco smoke contains deadly gases like carbolic acid, monoxide, cyanide, and benzopyrene, which cause cancer.
• Bidis contain twice the amount of these gases compared to cigarettes.
• The cultivation of tobacco covers six lakh hectares, producing 78 crore kg of produce annually.
• Cigarette production reached 9300 crore annually.
• The production of alcoholic beverages like beer and whiskey is estimated at 58.5 crore liters.
• Approximately 2.5 crore men and 7 crore women above the age of 15 consume tobacco or alcohol or both.

What Should Be Done?

The author proposes several strategies for individuals and society:

1. Firm Willpower: Emphasizes a one-time, decisive commitment to quit vices rather than gradual change, which is often difficult.
2. Finding Positive Companionship: Advises leaving the company of negative influences and avoiding environments that trigger cravings.
3. Seeking Guidance: Suggests spending time in the company of saints and engaging in devotional activities.
4. Inner Strength: Recommends prayer, deep breathing, and physical activities like exercise, running, walking, swimming, and sports.
5. Daily Affirmations: Encourages daily meditation and repeating strong resolutions.
6. Remembering the Suffering of Others: Advises recalling the pain of those affected by addiction, cancer, and immorality.
7. Saving Money: Highlights the significant financial savings from quitting vices, encouraging people to realize how much they were wasting.
8. Spreading Awareness: Urges individuals to understand and actively promote the message of a vice-free life.
9. Posters and Slogans: Suggests creating and distributing impactful posters with slogans like "Pan Masala: Death Masala, Burn Your Tongue," "Eat Gutka, Make Your Cheeks and Throat Collapse," "Smoking: Life in Danger," etc.

Medicinal Treatments for Addiction:

The book suggests homeopathic and other natural remedies for breaking specific addictions:

• Tobacco: Cadmium 200 (12 pills, morning, afternoon, evening) to induce aversion.
• Pan Masala and Gutka: Chewing amla or ginger with salt to curb cravings and provide Vitamin C.
• Cigarettes: Tabex 200 (12 pills) until aversion develops.
• Alcohol: Making tablets from ajwain (carom seeds) and lemon juice and sucking them to provide a pleasurable sensation similar to drinking.
• Alcohol: A drop of horse sweat or urine, unknowingly mixed into the alcoholic's food, is believed to cause vomiting upon drinking, leading to abandonment of the habit.

Vegetarianism in Addiction Liberation:

The text argues for the significant role of vegetarianism in overcoming addiction. It states that non-vegetarianism and hunting are interconnected, and going against nature's balance is detrimental. The author asserts that humans are anatomically designed to be vegetarians, citing differences in the physiology of carnivorous and herbivorous animals. He quotes the saying, "As one eats, so one becomes," emphasizing that adopting a vegetarian diet leads to a sattvic (pure) mind.

Conclusion and Hope:

The author concludes by acknowledging that while progress is being made in creating a vice-free society, it is not yet complete. He calls for greater participation from millions and for nationwide and even international awareness. He expresses optimism that the entire world will become free from vices, leading to a better society with increased brotherhood and love, echoing the Jain principle of "Paraspaupagraho Jivanam" (mutual support of life). He identifies himself as the National Coordinator of the "Vyasan Mukti Sanskar Jagaran Samiti" (Committee for Awakening the Sanskars of Addiction Liberation).