According to Osho, Mahavira’s restraint sprang from an upsurge of nonviolence and compassion—not fear. Seeing that death is unreal, he simply refused to be a source of pain. Many followers imitate the behavior but from fear of sin, karmic bookkeeping, and self-interest. The decisive difference is the inner motive; act from love, not fear.
Mahavira avoided harming because his heart overflowed with kindness, not because he was scared; what matters is why you act, not just what you do.