प्रसंग - वयं रक्षामः
Summary
The text discusses the concept of "Vayam Rakshamah" (we are the protectors), linking it to the festival of Raksha Bandhan and Indian Independence Day, which coincide in the year 2000. It argues that true self-protection is only possible when one protects others, and that freedom can only be sustained when everyone protects each other's freedom. The teachings of Mahavira are presented as an ideal model for this philosophy. Mahavira emphasized the independent existence of every individual and respected their wishes, never forcing his followers to do anything. He advocated for non-violence (ahimsa) towards all living beings, establishing a sense of unity and empathy with all creatures. He also urged perseverance in truth, which he saw as all-encompassing and not limited by sect, caste, or creed. The text notes that Mahatma Gandhi later echoed these principles through his experiments with truth. Despite India being the world's largest democracy, the author laments that the ideals of Mahavira and Gandhi are not fully realized, primarily because fear persists. Fear is identified as the root of violence, hatred, and injustice, and it prevents the establishment of a non-violent society. The text criticizes the modern reliance on weapons and nuclear bombs as symbols of weakness, not strength, born from fear. It calls for a reinterpretation and wider application of Mahavira's philosophy beyond religious boundaries, urging universities and his followers to take responsibility for spreading these teachings to create a society where "Vayam Rakshamah" can truly be achieved.
Conclusion
The document’s implications are profound: it argues that true protection (वयं रक्षामः) is impossible without mutual safeguarding of freedom, a principle embodied by Mahavira and Gandhi. The outcome is a stark critique of modern society, where fear—of violence, nuclear weapons, and inequality—undermines nonviolence and justice. The text concludes that Mahavira’s philosophy, emphasizing fearlessness and universal uplift, is urgently relevant today. It calls for academic institutions and followers to reinterpret these teachings beyond narrow religious confines, applying them to contemporary crises. Without this shift, the ideal of collective security and peace remains a distant dream, yet the document insists that action now can still revive these foundational values.