आचार्य अमितगति की प्रासंगिकता: पर्यावरणीय परिप्रेक्ष्य में

Summary

The text discusses the relevance of the ancient Jain principle of *anarthadanda* (avoidance of purposeless harmful actions) in the context of modern environmental concerns. It begins by noting that environmental purification is a pressing global issue, recently addressed at a major international conference in Rio. The term "environment" is defined as the surrounding cover of all living and non-living things that influence human life, health, and happiness. Ancient Indian sages and Jain thinkers, including the philosopher Amitagati, considered this topic long ago. Amitagati’s teachings on *anarthadanda*, found in his work on householder conduct, remain relevant today. This vow prohibits actions that lead to sin or social and judicial punishment. It warns against indirectly causing harm by encouraging others toward wrong paths, which contributes to the current violence and environmental pollution in India. The text describes various careless behaviors that degrade the environment: mindlessly harming others through thoughts, fidgeting with objects that can cause accidents, discarding burning cigarettes leading to fires, overloading vehicles causing fatal crashes, leaving electrical switches on, wasting water, and littering fruit peels that cause injuries. Noise pollution from loud radios, televisions, and religious sound systems is highlighted as a modern problem disturbing students and others. Industrial and vehicular emissions are cited as major sources of toxic air, contributing to health crises. Excessive accumulation of goods beyond need is criticized for creating social inequality. The text concludes that these ancient teachings on avoiding purposeless harmful actions are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago, as they address the root causes of environmental degradation and social discord.