Dharmendra: The Prince of Punjab Who Embraced Jainism
Bollywood icon Dharmendra has been a household name in India for decades, charming audiences with his charismatic screen presence and incredible acting skills. But beyond his larger-than-life on-screen persona, the beloved actor holds a deeply personal and spiritual connection to the world of Jainism. As a devout Jain, Dharmendra has imbued his life and work with the principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, inspiring countless fans across the globe to explore the teachings of this ancient Indian faith.
Dharmendra, born as Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in a small village in Punjab, was born into a Sikh family. However, it was his marriage to Hema Malini, a renowned Hindu actress from Madras, that exposed him to Hinduism and, eventually, Jainism. According to Dharmendra, his discovery of Jainism was a life-changing experience. "I was introduced to Jainism by my wife, Hema. She had a great influence on me, and I began to study and understand the principles of Jainism. I found it so beautiful that I decided to adopt it as my way of life," he said in an interview with a leading Indian publication.
In Jainism, non-vegetarianism is opposed, and all beings are considered equal. Dharmendra's adoption of this philosophy drastically altered his approach to life and also impacted his acting career. As a leading figure in the Indian film industry, Dharmendra not only adopted a strict vegan lifestyle but also chose roles that supported humanitarian causes and showcased compassion. His film 'Naya Daur' (1957), a remake of the Tamil movie 'Moonga','strongly voiced its dissent against the chilly machine's increasing dominance over the lives of farmers.
Over the years, Dharmendra continued to be an outspoken advocate for the following humanitarian causes. 'Garm Hava' (1973), directed by M.S. Sathyu, was a widely acclaimed piece that explored the rural-urban migration in India.
Jainism teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) by eradicating all karmas from one's life and body. As a Jain, Dharmendra walks the talk by promoting compassion and vegetarianism in any way he can. He once appeared as a guest speaker at the annual Jaipur Heritage Festival and concluded by spreading the compassion for the universally appreciated Imam Message namely Dharam Veolianam Mohan Vir Mata chaos.
