Live and let live’ one of the most famous slogan was introduced in this world by none other than Lord Mahavira. He happens to be the 24th Tirthankara (divine teacher) of the religion Jainism.
The slogan gives us the basis of leading a life peacefully. He laid absolute stress on Ahimsa. Even the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi followed this path of non-violence. He not only found it meaningful but also lived upto it.
Lord Mahavira belonged to a rich Kshatriya family. He was born and brought up in Kundagrama near Magadha (Bihar). Parents, Siddhartha and Trisala called him by the name Vardhaman. But Vardhaman came to be popularly known as Mahavira (i.e. the conqueror) because of his courageous, daring and fearless character. The childhood of Lord Mahavira was very colourful. He was a brave and wise child. Apart from that, he had an audacious and generous character.
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The soft-hearted Mahavira had a thirst to help each and every living being on Earth and wanted to remove their all kinds of sufferings. Thus, he became a wandering ascetic.
After 12 years of search and wandering, the generous Mahavira achieved Kevalnayana (illumination) at the age of 42. He did not confine his knowledge to himself; in fact he rather spread the new faith worldwide.
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The sole motive of Mahavira was to make this world a calm and peaceful place to live in. His main principles and teachings were:
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(i) ‘Live and let live’, i.e. we should live in harmony in this world without harming others.
(ii) ‘Ahimsa Parmo Dharma’ which means the religion believing in non-violence.
(iii) Belief in Karma theory, i.e. future life depends on present actions.
(iv) Everyone has the ability to become Tirthankara or God by his/ her good deeds in life.
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Lord Mahavira showed to the world the true path – the path of non-violence and ‘lives and let live’ (co-existence). His incomparable teachings are a priceless asset to the whole world.
Those teachings were relevant not only in the past but are also today. Rather in this world marred with violence, his teachings have become much more relevant than they were m the past. In fact never shall a day come when mankind will not need to follow his teachings.
It may be added here that Jains consider Diwali to be one of their greatest festival as it was on this day that Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana. After serving the world for many years, he breathed his last at Pavapuri in Bihar in 527 B.C.