38
Non-Violence
the subtlest of life-forms, which are not perceptible under a
microscope, return home. They settle on the food and remain
unseen because they are camouflaged as the color of the food.
This is why you should not eat after dark. People are not
aware of the harm eating after dark causes. Not to eat after dark
is considered a mahavrat (highest religious vow). This can be
considered the sixth mahavrat (the five vows given by Lord Mahavir
are ahimsa, adherence to truth, non-stealing, non-possessiveness,
and brahmacharya (celibacy)).
Questioner: If a person has no choice but to eat after
dark, will he be binding karma?
Dadashri: No. Karmas are not bound like that. Why do
you have to break that rule? Someone must have taught you to
observe it, right?
Questioner: Being Jain I have been brought up that way.
Dadashri: In that case you should do pratikraman in the
name of Lord Mahavir. It is the Lord’s instruction, so you must
abide by it and if you cannot follow it, you must ask for
forgiveness. If you want to practice ahimsa and keep your body
healthy, it is best that you eat before sunset. Do you normally
eat early?
Questioner: I have started that recently.
Dadashri: Who made you do it?
Questioner: I started doing it on