King Akbar & Jain religion

People of the country were extremely terrified by the oppression of the emperors of Delhi during the last three hundred years. But as the emperor Akbar occupied the throne of Delhi, there was a great sigh of relief and there was a new ray of hope among the people. Akbar was keen to know about various religions. Knowing their fundamental principles, he respected and honored all the religions. He tried to mitigate animosity between the Hindus and the Muslims. He made sincere efforts to temper religious fanaticism.

Once Akbar, the emperor, was standing in a balcony of his grand royal palace and had his eyes set on the highway when he saw a procession in which a shravika (a Jain laywoman) in a chariot was bowing to people all around and intermittently was making offerings to the people. She was preceded by a band and all the people in the procession sang auspicious songs.

Akbar was greatly surprised at the sight and asked the royal servants about the procession. Having inquired about it, the royal servants informed him that the shravika being a follower of the Jain religion, had undertaken fasts for six months and the Jain Sangha of Agra had organized that procession in honor of the prolonged penance of Champa, the name by which she was known.

Akbar was astonished at the fact that one could survive without food for as many as six months; since he knew too well as to how extremely difficult it was to observe ‘roja’ (a fast observed by muslims) for a month despite the permission for a meal at every night.

The royal servants added to Akbar’s astonishment as they said that the shravika named Champa had never taken a meal either during the day or at night for six long months.

Akbar thought it to be impossible; hence he decided to test its veracity. Champa shravika was invited to the court with utmost respect. Akbar told her that it was impossible that anybody could undertake such fasts. Champa shravika replied that the strength of religion would make everything possible. Akbar added that he would believe Champa shravika if she would undergo fast in the palace under the watch of his guards.

Champa shravika agreed to the proposal. She stayed at the palace with full respect and honor and guards were posted outside the palace. On expiry of the time limit, Akbar wanted to know about her fasts and he was told that she had not taken any food either during the day or at night. Akbar’s surprise was genuine. He had banned killing of any living creature for the days for which Champa shravika had gone on fast. Akbar praised and complimented her. Champa shravika said politely that it was possible because of the impact of the religion, the gods and the guru.

Akbar, the emperor, became interested and wanted to have detailed knowledge about the Jain religion. In all humbleness he requested Acharyashri Hirvijaysuriji to come to the palace for the purpose. After Bhagwan Mahavira, it was Champa shravika who had performed such a rare penance by undergoing six months fast. These fasts created great reverence in Akbar’s mind for the Jain religion, the Jain Acharyas and the Jain shravaks and shravikas. As a result he abolished the poll-tax levied on the Jain pilgrims. He acquainted himself with the significance of non-violence from Acharyashri Hirvijaysuriji - all this was the result of the most extraordinary penance of Champa shravika.

Akbar wanted to know about his horoscope and future life. Whereupon Suriji said that only householders would read horoscopes and make predictions as they were required to earn a livelihood. Saints like him simply aspired for knowledge and ultimate bliss. Akbar, by way of deference to Suriji, requested him to accept some gold and silver. Thereupon Suriji said that he would not accept anything. Suriji added that if he was keen to offer anything, he should order to set free the birds and animals kept in the cages. Suriji also added that he should prohibit large-scale fishing in the huge pond named Dabar and should also issue a mandate to stop violence of any kind by anybody during the festivals of Paryushan.

Akbar issued orders as was desired by Suriji. Moreover Akbar added 4 days on his own accord to the 8 days of Paryushan festival and ordered to stop the killing of animals for a total of 12 days. The mandate was also conveyed throughout his empire including Gujarat, Malwa, Ajmer, Delhi, Fatehpur, Lahore and far upto Multan. The Emperor also issued a mandate not to indulge in any sort of animal-killing in the vicinity of pilgrim places like Girnar, Taranga, Shatrunjaya, Kesariyaji, Abu, Rajgruhi and Sametshikharji. In Vikram Samvat 1640 Suriji was honoured with the title of Jagadguru (universal preceptor). Subsequently, Suriji toured Agra, Gwalior and other places and propagated Jain religion. As a result of his efforts, thousands of Hindus and Muslims gave up non-vegetarianism and alcoholism.

Born in A. D. 1527 in Oshwal family in Palanpur Shri Hirvijaysuriji became Acharya in A.D. 1554. After preaching Akbar, he began his journey (Vihar) at the age of 60. At that time there was a practice of charging toll-tax from every pilgrim at the Shatrunjaya Mahatirth. At the instance of Suriji, Emperor Akbar issued orders to abolish the tax. Suriji passed away in village Una (Saurashtra) in A.D. 1596. Akbar provided 100 bigha land for his funeral rites.

LORD MAHAVIRA'S ANUDHARMIKA CONDUCT

shri DALSUKH MALVANIA

It is an established face that Mahavira’s parents were the followers of Lord Parshva, the 23rd Tirthankara of the Jainas. It is also a face that there were some of the followers of Parshva who did not accept Mahavira as their tirthankara in the beginning but later on accepted his authority. As regards Mahavira himself, we know from the tradition that he was the last tirthankara of this age. It means that he must have followed the tradition of Parshva. In this note, I propose to discuss some of the references to the effect that he followed the old tradition.

Acharanga, the oldest amongst the Jaina literature clearly refers to Mahavira’s anudhammiya conduct in these words:-

(Original language words are missing)

The word anudhammiya is explained in churni as gatanugata, meaning thereby the traditional law.

This meaning of the word "Anudhammiya" i.e. "traditional law" is supported by other textual references also:-

(Original language words are missing)

In all these references the word Anudhamm-Anudharm- means the ‘traditional Law."

The meaning of the word Anudhammiy will be quite clear from the following discussion of Nishitha Churni:-

(Original language words are missing)

gatha 4855. See also Brihatkalpa-gatha 995.

The word anudharmita is not found in Sanskrit Dictionary but Pali Dictionary mentions (Anguttara Vol. 2,p. 46) and gives its meaning:- lawfulness, conformity to Dhamma. The word is also found in Pali having its meaning:-confirmity or accordance with the law, consistency etc. The word Dhammanudhammata is also used in Pali. The meaning of it is the major and minor Dhamma. If we consider the meaning of all these words then we can say that the world Anudhammiya of Acharanga means that Lord Mahavira acted according to law and so the Commentators are right in explaining it as the traditional conduct.

While explaining the word anudhammiya Silanka the commentator of Acharanga says:-

(Original language words are missing)

Here it is clear that the word Anudharmic means the traditional conduct. It is clearly said in the text that Mahavira had a cloth, but it was not used for the covering of his body. So the question is: then why did he keep the cloth with him? The answer is given by the word ‘Anudharmic’ i.e. in keeping a cloth he only followed a tradition. And what was that tradition? The commentator has quoted an Agama which means that it is a tradition that every tirthankara keeps a devadusa-devadushya at the time of his pravrajya. It is clear that though it was of no use to him still he kept it only to follow a tradition.

We know from the Buddhist text Mahavagga (1.1.12) that it was customary for a novice to keep uttariya on his skandha at the time of pravrajya. It seems that this was the custom which was followed by Mahavira by keeping Devadushya on his skandha. We know from the Buddhist texts that nigganthas were having only one sataka. This should be that one Sataka which was customarily kept by them at the time of pravrajya. They did not accept other than this, that is why they are called by the Buddhist ‘Ak satka niggantha’. This tradition was explained later by Acharyas in such a way that it became almost unbelievable on the one hand when they said that devadushya was given by Indra at the time of pravrajya. And on the other hand the Shvetambara Acharyas found in it the proof of their ‘Sachel Dharma’, though it is quite clear that it was not used by Lord Mahavira and that after 13 months he was without any cloth. So we can say that keeping a cloth at the time of pravrajya has nothing to do with ‘Sachel’ of ‘Achel Dharma’ but only it was a custom which was followed by Mahavira. Though at heart he was not in favour of keeping any cloth whatsoever, he simply kept it in order to follow the tradition. So we see that when it was removed from his person, he did not care to ask for other.

The secondary meaning of the word ‘Anudhamm’ is ‘Anukaldhamm’ according to Churni, which means that this was done so that the others coming later may follow him. This meaning of the word Is also possible because whenever a tradition is followed by a great man it is to be taken as to be followed by others also in the time to come.

We know from other sources that Parshva and his followers were using clothes and were not naked. So it is possible that though Mahavira of his own accord wanted to be a naked monk, he had to keep a cloth at the time of his pravrajya to follow the tradition of the Parshva’s sangha. This seems to be the reason why the word ‘Anudhmmiy’ is used for his conduct of keeping a cloth at the time of his pravrajya. Later when he became a powerful monk it was quite possible for him to leave that traditional cloth and innovate entire nakedness in his sangha.

Mahavira’s anudharmita is not restricted to the traditional conduct only but is extended to the traditional preaching also. This is testified by the following reference:-

(Original language words are missing)

"This is the traditional Law preached by the Muni that one should follow Non-violence."

Here the commentator explains the word ‘Anudhamm’ as: ‘Moksha prayatnkulo dharmonudharmo’: But it should mean traditional law when we certainly know that the nonviolence is the traditional law for the Jainas.

There are certain things and places which are prohibited for the Jaina monks because of their possessing life. And life is so subtle a thing that each and everybody is not competent to know its existence or non-existence. In view of this fact one has to obey the rule of prohibition even though there may be no life in those things and places where there is possibility of life. In view of this fact Lord Mahavira, knowing fully well due to his omniscience that the tilas which were offered to him had no life, the water of certain pond had no life and a certain place was fit for removing the refuse of the body, did not make use of those things. This was because he had to follow a tradition knowing fully well that if he would accept those things his followers would follow him and thereby he would be a cause to the break of that tradition. There was a danger of life of his followers in not accepting those things, still he was not ready to break the tradition. This incidence is narrated in Nishitha Bhashya Gathas 4855-4859 and also in Brihatkalpa Bhashya Gathas 995-1000.

So all these references show clearly that Lord Mahavira had sufficient regard for the old traditional laws which he inherited from Parshva’s sangha and also establish the existence of the Jaina tradition prior to Mahavira himself.

Compassionate Quotes

Animals cannot speak, but can you and I not speak for them and represent them? Let us all feel their silent cry of agony and let us all help that cry to be heard in the world.

- Rukmini Devi Arundale

Non-violence and kindness to living beings is kindness to oneself. For thereby one's own self is saved from various kinds of sins and resultant sufferings and is able to secure his own welfare.

- Mahavira

The time will come when men will look on the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men.

- Leonardo da Vinci

Until we extend our circle of compassion to include every living creature we cannot enjoy 'World PEACE'.

- Albert Schweitzer

'Thou shalt not kill' does not apply to murder of one's own kind only, but to all living beings and this commandment was inscribed in the human breast long before it was proclaimed from Sinai.

- Leo Tolstoy

We should be able to refuse to live if the price of living be the torture of sentient beings.

- Mahatma Gandhi

The highest religion is to rise to universal brother hood; aye to consider all creatures your equals.

- Guru Nanak

Let us pray that our food should not be colored with animal blood and human suffering.

- Chitrabhanuji

Animals are our younger brothers and sisters, also on the ladder of evolution but a few rungs lower. It is an important part of our responsibilities to help them in their ascent, and not to retard their development by cruel exploitation of their helplessness.

- Lord Dowding

The misery we inflict on sentient beings slackens our human evolution.

- Dr. Annie Besant

Sympathy for the lowest animals is one of the noblest virtues with which man is endowed.

- Charles Robert Darwin

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

- Jesus Christ

Cruelty is the obvious cancer of modern civilization.

- Rev. A. D. Beldon

I think that sacrifices of animals in the name of religion are barbarous and they degrade the name of religion.

- Jawaharlal Nehru

Kindness multiplies fast and brings tremendous dividends.

- Hope Sawyer Buyukmihei

Anything that can feel pain should not be put to pain.

- R. M. Dolgin

No nation is truly free until the animal, man's younger brother is free and happy.

- T. L. Vaswani

If we wish for mercy ourselves, we must show mercy to all dumb animals.

- Joyce Lambert

Our enlightened posterity will look back upon us who eat oxen and sheep, just as we look upon cannibals.

- Winwood Reade

Which religion gives the greatest joy to God? That which inspires human beings to practice Ahimsa and compassion to all creatures.

- Vallabha Acharya

Your feasts and your ceremonials, which are marked by animal sacrifices, are gateways to direct hell.

- Bankey Behari

When a man wants to murder a tiger, he calls it sport; when the tiger warts to murder him, he calls it ferocity.

- George Bernard Shaw

When a human being kills an animal for food, he is neglecting his own hunger for justice. Man prays for mercy, but is unwilling to extend it to others. Why the should man expect mercy from God? It is unfair to expect something that you are not willing to give.
-- Isaac B. Singer

Nothing more strongly arouses our disgust than cannibalism, yet we make the same impression on Buddhists and vegetarians, for we feed on babies, though not our own.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

There's so many vegetarian foods now that are available at the market . The same with drive-through. Now, a lot of them serve veggie burgers just like the restaurants are doing. So, it's really very easy.
-- Kevin Nealon

When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.
-- River Phoniex

But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh, we deprive a soul of the sun and light and of that proportion of life and time it had been born into the world to enjoy."
-- Plutarch

"For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."
-- Pythagoras

As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."
-- Pythagoras

GREAT MEN'S VIEW ON JAINISM

In conclusion let me assert my conviction that Jainism is an original system, quite distinct and independent from all others; and that therefore it is of great importance for the study of philosophical thoughts and religious life in ancient India."

- Dr. Herman Jacobi

"What would be the condition of the Indian Sanskrit literature if the contribution of the Jains were removed? The more I study Jain literature the more happy and wonder struck I am."

- Dr. Hertel, Germany

"Jainism is of a very high order. Its important teachings are based upon science. The more the scientific knowledge advances the more that Jain teachings will be proven."

- L. P. Tessetori, Italy

"I adore so greatly the principles of the Jain religion, that I would like to be reborn in a Jain community."

- George Bernard Shaw

"Lofty ideas and high ascetic practices are found in Jainism. It is impossible to know the beginning of Jainism."

- Major-General Forlong

"The Jains have written great masterpieces only for the benefit of the world."

- Dr. Hertel, Germany

"I say with conviction that the doctrine for which the name of Lord Mahavir is glorified nowadays is the doctrine of Ahimsa. If anyone has practiced to the fullest extent and has propagated most the doctrine of Ahimsa, it was Lord Mahavira."

- Mahatma Gandhi

"I am not Rama. I have no desire for material things. Like Jina I want to establish peace within myself."

- Yoga Vasishta, Chapter 15, Sloka 8 the saying of Rama

"O Arhan! You are equipped with the arrow of Vastuswarpa, the law of teaching, and the ornaments of the four infinite qualities. O Arhan! You have attained omniscient knowledge in which the universe is reflected. O Arhan! You are the protector of all the Souls (Jivas) in the world. O Arhan! The destroyer of kama (lust)! There is no strong person equal to you."

- Yajur Veda, Chapter 19, Mantra 14

"Mahavira proclaimed in India that religion is a reality and not a mere social convention. It is really true that salvation can not be had by merely observing external ceremonies. Religion cannot make any difference between man and man."

- Dr. Rabindranath Tagore

"We learn from scriptures (Sashtras) and commentaries that Jainism is existing from beginningless time. This fact is indisputable and free from difference of opinion. There is much historical evidence on this point."

- Lokamanya Bala Gangadhar Tilak

"Jainism has contributed to the world the sublime doctrine of Ahimsa. No other religion has emphasized the importance of Ahimsa and carried its practice to the extent that Jainism has done. Jainism deserves to become the universal religion because of its Ahimsa doctrine."

- Justice Ranglekar, Bombay High Court

"The Jain Sadhu leads a life which is praised by all. He practices the vratas and rites strictly and shows to the world the way one has to go in order to realize the atma (soul). Even the life of a Jain householder is so faultless that India should be proud of him."

- Dr. Satischandra Vidhya Bhushan

"The right of welcoming the delegates of the universal peace organization belongs to the Jains only. Because Ahimsa alone contributes to the establishment of universal peace. Tirthankaras, the propounders of Jainism, preached to the world the Ahimsa doctrine. Therefore, who else except the followers of Bhagavan Parsvanath and Mahavira can preach universal peace?"

- Dr. Radha Vinodpal

"There is nothing wonderful in my saying that Jainism was in existence long before the Vedas were composed."

- Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President, India

"Truly speaking, Jainism is an independent and original religion, for it is neither Hinduism nor Vedic religion, but of course it is an aspect of Indian life, culture, and philosophy."

- Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister, India

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