The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil Speaking at Rajasthan Bhawan, Chandigarh on the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti on Wednesday.
Chandigarh, April 24, 2013:Speaking on Mahanvira Jyanti ,today at Rajasthan Bhawan, Chandigarh, the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil, said that Mahavira taught a scientific explanation of the nature and meaning of life and guided as to how we should behave to draw this real nature and meaning into our own life. He taught us that we must start with three things. First, we must haveright faith, we must believe in truth. Second, we must have the rightknowledge, we must study to understand what life is all about. Third, we must follow right conduct, the conduct which our faith and knowledge show us to be correct. These are the 'three jewels', ratnatraya of Jainism.
Patil said Mahavira's teachings, if faithfully followed and imbibed in our daily life, would give us two results. Firstly, they produce a better society for every creature to live in, and secondly, they enable the individual to improve his or her own inner feelings and character. He said the most important principle which runs through the whole of Mahavira's attitude of life is ahimsa. This is usually translated as 'non-violence', but it goes beyond that and really means the greatest possible kindness to all living things.
Extending warm greetings to the people on Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, Patil described Lord Mahavira as an apostle of truth and righteousness. He said the best way to observe such occasion was to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, amity, harmony and secular ethos.
Later on Patil administered oath of office to newly appointed members of Punjab Prantiya Shri Jain Swetambar Terapanth Sabha.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Punjab Cabinet Minister, Satya Pal Jain, former MP, Muni Shri Vinay Kumar Ji (Alok), Muni Shri Kumar Ji, Kamal Sharma, BJP President, Punjab, Raghubir Chand Thanedar and Surinder Mittal.