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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Relevance of Mahavira's teachings today

 

CHENNAI, APRIL 6. The new age might have given us a whole lot of

comforts, but we have lost something much more precious - peace

of mind. The need of the hour all over the world is peace since

life and strife go hand in hand, at various levels. We experience

deterioration in moral and ethical values. Invariably, people in

general display dishonesty, hypocrisy and greed. The craze for

materialistic gains keeps us immersed in anxiety, fear and

sorrow. In turn, we are losing mental peace. Where do we look for

peace?

 

India has been the land of sages, seers and saints, who

propagated ways of realising peace. The contribution of such

noble souls holds much relevance today. The life and teachings of

Mahavira (599-27 B.C.), the 24th Tirthankara, is relevant today

and 2600 years later the spiritual power and moral grandeur of

Mahavira's teachings continue to enlighten our paths. Like a boat

made available for a man in the midst of turbulent waters, he has

shown us how we can attain freedom from the cycle of life, birth,

pain, misery and sorrow and how we can reach the state of mental

bliss. Mahavira's teachings reflect the impulse towards internal

beauty and harmony of the soul.

 

Of particular relevance and significance is his teachings of the

five vows and three steps to liberation of the Self. Mahavira

laid great stress on the fact that peace is within each one of

us. His own life demonstrated how he enjoyed peace by avoiding

craze for possessions and detachment. He was born as a prince but

renounced the pleasures of the palace in search of peace. Through

severe penance and fasting he realised it and preached that

Divinity is in us and we should take steps to realise it.

 

The three steps, Mahavira's philosophy of ``Samyak darshana''

(right faith), ``Samyak jnana'' (right knowledge) and ``Samyak

charitra'' (right conduct) show the light towards self-

liberation. His message of five vows is full of universal

compassion. Non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), non-

stealing (Achuri), chastity (Brahmacharya) and non-possession

(Aparigraha) are the five gateways to a peaceful saintly life.

 

Through his teachings, Mahavira made religion simple and free

from elaborate rituals and complexities suited to men of modern

days who are always in a hurry.

 

P. S. Surana,

 

Chennai.

 

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