Page 12 - Jain Jyotirdhar Chitra Darshan

[12] GREAT GURU SHRI HIRSURIJI & EMPEROR AKBAR
(Observance of Non-Violence)

(1) In Delhi, Jain Shravika, named Champa had fasted 6
months. When this news reached the Emperor Akbar, he was
surprised. He asked Champa, “How could she fast for so
long?” Champa replied,“With the grace of God Mahavir and
Guruji Shri Vijay Hir Suriji.” Hearing this Emperor Akbar was
keen to meet her great Guru. (2) Accepting Akbar’s invitation
Acharyadev Hir Suriji walked bare foot from Gujarat to Delhi to
meet the Emperor. Guruji was welcomed with great pomp and
glory in Delhi. But while entering the Palace, Guruji suddenly
stopped, as he saw a carpet. When Akbar asked why, he
replied, “There may be small insects under the carpet and if
he walks on it, they may die. So it is against our religion to
walk on carpet. ”Emperor Akbar, in disbelief, got the carpet
lifted and to his utter shock, there were ants under the carpet.
Emperor Akbar was spellbound with the knowledge of Guruji
and his religion. (3) Emperor Akbar gracefully requested Guruji
to seek some thing to which Guruji said, “During all the 8 days
of Paryushan (the most religious festival of Jain), there should
be no violence towards any living being in India”. The law was
passed for this and a copy of the enacted law was sent to
Guruji as gift. (4) Emperor Akbar was addicted to eat half a
pound of tongue of sparrow daily and therefore he was
breeding sparrows at Dabur pond. (5) Due to the Guru’s
Sermons of non-violence, Akbar set free all the birds and
turned over a new leaf in his life by accepting non-violence
(Lover of Jeevdaya). What a spiritual sermon! (6) Hearing the
sermons of Guruji, Akbar stopped collecting tax from Mount
Shatrunjay (the eternal and most a holy pilgrimage of Jain) and
Jajiya -a tax on Hindu. (7) He spread the word of non-violence
in his kingdom.