Jeevdaya: Today, as I was scrolling through Instagram stories, one image stopped me. It was a snapshot of Mumbai Mirror’s front page, with these words:

“When we honour jivdaya, we honour the soul of India.
In the land that gave the world ahimsa, countless animals now cry out for our mercy.”

The poster had images of an elephant, a pigeon, a dog, and a monkey — each looking helpless. As I read further lines about abused dogs, chained elephants, and pigeons going hungry, a thought echoed in my mind:

“Are only these animals worth protecting? Or does Jeevdaya mean something bigger — something universal?”

Because in truth, Jeevdaya is not selective compassion. It is not just about protecting pigeons, elephants, or cows. It is about kindness towards every living being — from the smallest insect to the largest creature of the ocean.

And then the next question naturally arose: If we celebrate Jeevdaya and Ahimsa, how can people still eat non-vegetarian food or seafood?
Because by killing hens, fish, goats, or prawns for our taste buds, are we not breaking the very essence of Ahimsa that India gave to the world?

What Jeevdaya Truly Means in Jainism

In Jain philosophy, Jeevdaya (compassion for life) is not limited to a few species we feel attached to. It extends to all beings with life, consciousness, and emotions.

• An ant struggling for survival deserves the same compassion as a cow.
  
• A chicken in a slaughterhouse feels fear no less than a chained elephant.
  
• A fish gasping for breath outside water suffers just like a dog left hungry on the street.
  
  

Jains believe that every soul (jiva), no matter how small or big, carries the same purity and potential for liberation. To harm another being is to harm our own spiritual progress.

That is why Ahimsa (non-violence) is the core of Jain life — not just in actions, but also in thoughts and words.

Why Veganism Is the Call of True Compassion

Many argue that vegetarianism is enough. But when we look deeper, we realize that dairy, leather, and seafood industries also cause immense violence.

• Milk production separates calves from mothers, causing grief and cruelty.
  
• Leather is nothing but the skin of slaughtered animals.
  
• Honey is taken at the cost of bees’ lives.
  
• Fishing wipes out marine ecosystems and kills countless beings every second.
  
  

So, to walk on the path of real Jeevdaya today, we need to embrace veganism — where our food, clothes, and lifestyle are free from exploitation of animals. It is not just a diet. It is a moral stand. A choice to say: “I will not make my survival dependent on someone else’s suffering.”

The Deeper Meaning of Ahimsa

When Mahavira preached Ahimsa Parmo Dharma — “Non-violence is the highest religion” — he was not only talking about war or physical harm. He was talking about every small choice we make.

• The food on our plate.
  
• The shoes we wear.
  
• The products we buy.
  
• The way we treat insects, birds, stray animals, even plants.
  
  

Because true compassion cannot be partial. If I am kind to a cow but cruel to a chicken, am I really practicing Ahimsa?

It Costs Nothing to Be Kind

The truth is: kindness is free. It requires no money, only awareness.

• Choosing plant-based food.
  
• Feeding birds and animals instead of abusing them.
  
• Avoiding leather and silk.
  
• Respecting even the smallest insect.

These are not sacrifices, they are choices that reflect who we are.

If India is truly the land of Ahimsa, then our compassion must extend to all beings — not just the ones we find cute, holy, or useful.

Because Jeevdaya is not charity. It is duty. It is dharma.

Our Reflection

As I closed that Instagram story, I realized something powerful:

We cannot glorify compassion in words while practicing cruelty in actions.
If we truly honour Jeevdaya, we must live it — in every plate of food, in every purchase we make, in every step we take. And perhaps, when we do this collectively, we won’t just be protecting animals.
We will be protecting the soul of India.

Ending line for social media share:

“Jeevdaya is not for a few species. It is for every beating heart. Will you walk the path of true Ahimsa?” And I must say, I feel truly happy and hopeful that Mumbai Mirror took this initiative to bring Jeevdaya into public conversation. Because when media reminds us of compassion, it doesn’t just inform us — it awakens us. 

Also read: https://jinspirex.com/two-facets-of-teej-same-name-different-purpose/