Proper application of Anekantvad halts bad thoughts and speech for violence. It is an intelligent _expression of Ahimsa. In the present ever-changing world, infinite numbers of viewpoints exist. They depend upon various factors such as, nature of individual, time, space and circumstances. _Expression of truth is relative to several viewpoints.
Anekantvad solves many present-day problems. In other words, think positively about what others have to say and avoid negative thinking. As I mentioned earlier Mahavir never forced his views and principles upon anyone. Because this is nothing but the cause of quarrels, wars, conflicts. He tried to understand the language of the people. He conveyed his messages into simple and understandable language. While in our day in and day out activities, we mix up so many things and do not try to understand what other has to opine for. We just do not listen to others. We do not become good listeners but wish to force our thoughts of variable designs upon others to fulfil our motives. This creates nothing but a conflict. This ultimately results into creation of unhealthy relationships which is neither good for individual nor for families, nor for societies and nor for any nation.
Anekantvad teaches us to become patience and polite in nature. Never run over anything without thinking. It has many characteristics mentioned as under:
- Never insist for your own ideas.
- Always accept truth to avoid conflicts.
- No interfering, absolutely no use of phrase” in my days.” “if I were in your place.”
- Remember if you insist on everything to be done your way, this will boomerang.
- Choose your words very wisely. You have the power…use it well.
- Don’t be proud.
- Do not allow the protector and the mere threat, to your abundance of joy, turns you into the terminator.
- Precious time, with your family, society, nation and individuals, flies away so enjoy every moment with all.
- Create strong necessity to search for truth.
- Be a trustworthy person and accepts all the truths even from enemies too.
- Create universal brotherhood, friendship, and equanimity towards everyone.
- Others will pick up your errand behaviour, manners and habits very quickly and ultimately result in chaos.
An English proverb teaches us “think twice before you speak” and “an arrow released from bow never returns.” They always hurt and kill.
All these virtues with which Mahavir lived are inter-related. They transpire important guidelines to solve present day problems either at individual level, family level, and society level or at national and international level. These are the core values of avoiding all kinds of vices and promotion towards harmony, peace, universal brotherhood, and faith-based communities in the world. Further, these qualities teach us forgiveness. Hence, they have to be cultivated and preserved.
To conclude and summarize these three precious core values of the life of Lord Mahavir signify great relevance in modern times. They generate and establish universal friendship, fearlessness, harmony, peace, joy, through non-violence and non-possessiveness. They strengthen the bond of autonomy of life everywhere. They promote ecological conservation through self-restraints and austere lifestyle as well as kindness towards all. Anekantvad promotes and strengthens autonomy of thoughts and speech. They reconcile differences between various Dharmas, Communal and racial frictions, and political vendetta and avoid racial discriminations. These three precious principles if properly placed in action can bring inner happiness, bliss, and joy to all. They upgrade everyone to spiritual level of development. Four Bhavnas such as, Maitri, Pramod, Karunya and Madhyastha (Friendship, Joy, Compassion and Neutral respectively) are accommodated in these core values.
Jain Dharma has variety of branches. It caters all the needs of all the living beings. If I introduce here one wonderful quotation, which may be relevant for this type of subject:
“Jainism is a magnificent treasure temple of Philosophy, Mathematics, Astronomy, Geography, History and Science itself. There cannot be a need to equate it with science. Science is making steppingstone in the fields of several mysteries the world is keeping secret. However, Jainism has probably all the answers to them.”
As Acharya Mantungsuri, politely, express himself in the 5th stanza of this versatile story that he is quite ignorant and unable to say and sing about infinite qualities rest in Tirthankar Rishabhdev, however he is trying and prepared to narrate them according to his ability, capacity, honesty and sincerity due to his devotion towards Rishabhdev and Jainism as a deer tries to save its baby from falling a prey to lion though it does not possess strength to fight a lion. I am also trying my level best in the similar way to provide narration for Bhaktamar Stotra.
Bhaktamar stotra is a divine and very auspicious story of nine smarans. Acharya Mantungsuri who was one of the greatest preceptors of that period, and expert in Tantra and Mantra as well as spiritualism, created this Tantrik and Mantrik stotra to increase an importance of Jain Dharma in the kingdom of King Harshdev. He was a spiritual and devoted soul to JINA and Jainism and never showed his accomplishment before anywhere though he possessed them, found an appropriate opportunity to flourish Jainism, on the request of Jain Sangha, went to courtyard of King Harshdev at Dhara town in M.P. He asked the king, “What he wants to examine about Jainism?” The king replied, “He wants to know is any miracle can happen through Jainism or Jainism possesses any mantra?” Learned and devoted Acharya asked the king to keep him bonded with 48 handcuffs and put him in the 7th room duly locked in the cellar of his palace and under the surveillance of his trusted soldiers. The King did accordingly and sat patiently to watch the miracle to happen.
Shri Mantungsuri went into deep concentration. Tirthankar Rishbhadev was before him as he went into deep meditations. Nothing else he could see except his Rishabhdev. The goddess of knowledge Shri Bhagwati Sarswati, which sits in the lotus mouth of Tirthankaras appeared on the tongue of that devoted preceptor. The flow of chanting of stanzas about the qualities of Tirthankar Rishabhdev started. Each handcuff with the progress of chanting of each stanza started to break. When last stanza arrived, a great propagator of Jainism appeared before King and asked him to ask anyone, who were collected over there to break his last handcuff. But surprisingly none could perform that feat. At last Shri Mantungsuri sang the last stanza and broke the last handcuff. The king was all praise for Acharya and Jina as well as Jainism.
Curtesy – https://www.deshvidesh.com/the-relevance-of-mahavirs-values-in-modern-times/
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.