By: Paras Mal Jain
Sai Baba professed respect for all religions. Whenever saints and mystics visited Shirdi they offered their respect to Sai Maharaj. Baba interacted and had religious debates with them. It was indeed a feast for the close devotees of Sai Maharaj to learn from these religious interactions that all religions lead to the same Almighty.
Only three families belonged to Jainism at Shirdi. They were dealing with the oil business and offered oil to Baba to enable him to light the lamps in the mosque. Their devotion to Baba increased a millionfold when Baba performed the miracle of lighting hundreds of lamps only with water.
Once a Jain monk visited Shirdi and the Jain families celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar.
When the Jain community told Baba about this festival, Baba reminded the core message of Mahavir Bhagawan ‘Live and let live.’
To all those present at the mosque, the Jain monk narrated that Mahavir renounced his royal life and worldly relationships to seek samayika — equanimous state of mind and lead an ethical way of life that would help him evolve to higher consciousness. He began practicing Samya Yoga, the yoga of equanimity, and meditation. In the 12-year-long practice, he faced several ordeals, which he overcame with the understanding and practice of Samyak Darshan, right belief; Samyak Jnana, right knowledge; and Samyak Charitra, right conduct. All of this helped Mahavir attain Omniscience — Kevalya Jnana.
The monk continued that Tirthankar Mahavir led a socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement, rejecting the caste system, gender bias, and animal sacrifice, and promoting equity of treatment. He set an example by liberating Chandanbala, a village girl, and showing her the path to eternal peace, purity, progress, and spirituality. She became his disciple.
The Tirthankar contributed to the growth of scientific temper, literature, and education and encouraged people to reject superstition and blind faith. He regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral to a composite community and emphasized the concept of ‘aparigraha’ – non-possessiveness, to protect biodiversity from human greed.
Sai Maharaj asked him what Jainism gave to the world. The monk outlined six concepts for life, such as Asi, the sword of defense, warfare; Masi, ink, Arts, culture, writing, and education; Krishi, representing a settled agricultural way of life; Vidya, schooling, training, and knowledge; Vanijya, trade and commerce, business; and Shilpa, art, skill-work, handicraft. A five-fold mantra that is recited in Jainism offers obeisance not to God, but to arihants, perfect beings; siddhas, liberated souls; acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, seekers. Instead of waiting for divine interventions, the individual seeker is encouraged to walk on the path of spiritual growth through his effort, with the help of mantra-chanting.
Mahavir was also known as Jinendra. He was the epitome of Ahimsa and compassion, and a fearless and courageous person, qualities that he felt were indispensable to promoting Ahimsa. These principles became an integral part of his lifestyle. For example, while doing penance, he would often meditate alone going into the jungle. Once, while he was on his way to a hermitage, cowherds nearby warned him, “O mendicant! Do not go further. A dangerous snake by the name of Chand Kaushik is around. His eyes emit venom. Even from a distance, he can burn a man to ashes, with a mere look.” Mahavir was not flustered at all. He continued on his journey and when he approached the serpent’s hole, he stood there in meditation. His defiance infuriated Chand Kaushik, who first looked at the sun and then at Mahavir. Waves of venom from the snake spread far and wide, but Mahavir stood motionless. The enraged serpent coiled itself around Mahavir’s body and started stinging him at various points. Mahavir continued to stand still and countered the effect of venom by radiating compassion and forgiveness. He had no feeling of enmity. Chand Kaushik soon surrendered and sought Mahavir’s forgiveness.
Sai Maharaj told the devotees to practice love and compassion to others with the core objective of ‘live and let live.’
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