Non-violence

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Light and Love to all Some days ago was marked the date Mahavir's

birth - 511 BC. He was a promoter of ahimsa or non-violence. One of the

fifth's human values is non-violence. Swami in His Teaching explained the and

analyses non-violence. It is as one of the five basic 'elements' in the field

of human's mind. Swami recommends to cleanse emotions, attitudes,

reactions, control carefully mind, thoughts, do not humiliate anyone, to see at

first the good in everyone. Non-violence bases on love and can be realised

through love, through inner understanding the atmic unity of all in the arena

of creation. Non-violence is a prime unselfish method of interaction with

respect what is primarily understandable between different nations, countries

and faiths. To realize non-violent style of life it seems is not easy

because everyone of us stands before different up and downs, own or others

mistakes. It is true that who has experienced pain and suffering can understand

better the value of non-violence. How to promote non-violence as lifestyle in

society? Answer is given by Swami (see references below). In "The Times

of India", The Speaking Tree Saturday, April 03, 2004 12:00:00 AM was

published an interesting story by Acharya Mahaprajna "Mahavir's Life of

Equanimity." Enjoy excerpts from it as an example of global non-violence

and atmic consciousness in addition to Swami's references. Mahavir's

birth in 511 BC was marked by an uncanny element. While still growing in his

mother's womb, Mahavir was endowed with clairvoyance or avadhigyan .

After Mahavir's birth, his family began to grow prosperous and his parents

named him Vardhman. Since he was clairvoyant, he came to be known as saman .

Realising his power of tolerance during spiritual practice, he was called

Mahavir. Mahavir's destiny was bound with moksha. His parents were

followers of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parshva, whose teachings left a lasting

impression on his mind. Destiny, environment and separation from family prompted

Mahavir to take to asceticism. But his brother Nandivardhan persuaded him to

reconsider his decision. Mahavir renounced worldly relationships and went off

with the sole objective of achieving complete samayika (equanimous state of

mind or super-consciousness). His 33-year-old life of a householder came to an

end. He began the vigorous practice of Samya Yoga, the yoga of equanimity,

and for 12 years he went through and overcame several ordeals. Mahavir was a

pioneer of ahimsa; he was also fearless, a quality he felt was indispensable to

promote ahimsa. This principle became an integral part of his way of life. So

during his penance he wandered alone in the jungles. Several incidents are

narrated to illustrate his fearlessness. Mahavir was going to a hermitage

when the cowherds said, "O, mendicant! Do not go further. The snake, Chand

Kaushik, is dangerous. His eyes emit venom. Even from a distance, with a mere

look, he can burn a man to ashes." Mahavir continued, for fear of death and

suffering was unknown to him. He approached the serpent's hole and stood there

in a state of meditative posture. His defiance infuriated Chand Kaushik who

first looked at the sun and then looked at Mahavir. The enraged serpent coiled

itself around Maha-vir's body and started stinging him at various points.

Mahavir remained motionless. He countered the effect of the venom by radiations

of compassion. Mahavir's spiritual practice was that of renunciation. While

embracing asceticism he had resolved: "I surrender this body for the sake of my

soul. This body is not mine. With this feeling I shall use my body. To cross a

river, a boat is needed. I shall use my body as a boat to cross the river of

life. I shall bear all the pangs of suffering by being immersed in the soul."

Enlightened belief, Samyagdarshan , became non-absolutism, anekanta , and the

knowledge of the 'self' became enlightened know-ledge, samyak gyan .

Fearlessness, non-possession and non-violence became enlightened conduct,

samyak charitra . This led Mahavir to the attainment of omniscience, kevalya .

References: "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 29, Chapter 4. Spiritual basis

of human values. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 30, Chapter 13. Purity the

path to liberation. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 18, Chapter 2. Seva is the

highest Sadhana. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 29, Chapter 23. Love is only

offering I accept. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 19, Chapter 3. The Mantra

around your wrist. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 19, Chapter 5. Human values

for everyone. "Sathya Sai Speaks " Volume 22, Chapter 26. Disciplines for

the spirit. Namaste - Reet