Mahavir Jayanti 

Mahavirswami is the twenty-fourth Tirthankar. He was born in 599 BC at Kshatriyakund near modern Patna in Bihar. His father, King Siddhartha, and his mother, Queen Trishla, were very religious people and followers of Lord Parshwanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar. When Queen Trishla was expecting the baby she had 14 beautiful dreams (some believe sixteen dreams). When the learned scholars were asked about the dreams they said she was going to have an extraordinary child., one who will show the path to true happiness to humanity.

Queen Trishla gave birth to Lord Mahavir in March/April on Mahavir Jayanti day in 599BC. They named him Vardhaman which means ‘one who brings prosperity’. 56 maidens from Indralok performed holy rituals and danced to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Attending this ceremony, along with the other gods, was Indra who carried Vardhaman to Mount Meru, where everyone sang the infant’s glory. 

There are many stories of Mahavir’s boyhood. They illustrate that from early childhood, Mahavir believed in practicing non-violence. He did not use force to control even wild and dangerous animals. He knew that all living beings understand the language of love. Once young Mahavir was playing with friends when a snake appeared. His friends were scared and they ran away. On another occasion, Mahavir was not scared of an angry elephant. The elephant eventually became calm and docile.

At seven when Vardhaman was playing with friends an evil demi-god took the form of a cobra and tried to frighten the kids. Brave Vardhaman boldly grabbed the snake and flung it far away. On another occasion, the demi-god joined the children in the disguise of a child. According to the rules of the game, Vardhaman had a chance to ride on the child’s back. As Vardhaman climbed onto his back the child transferred himself into a demon. Vardhaman controlled him with his mighty fists. The demon appeared in his true form and praised Vardhaman for his bravery and called him ‘Mahavir’ meaning very brave.

Though Mahavir was born with worldly comforts and luxuries, they never attracted him. He lived a simple life. When his parents died, he decided to become a monk. He asked for his brother’s permission. His brother was still mourning for the loss of their parents. He therefore requested Mahavir to wait for a couple of years before leaving. Mahavir waited for two years, during which he led a totally detached life. After realizing this, his brother gave him permission to become a monk. Mahavir was thirty years old when he gave up his worldly life and all worldly activities. He spent of his time in austerity and meditation. He learned to survive on small amounts of food and reduced his physical needs. He had no anger, pride or desires. He practiced non-violence, truth and celibacy. He did not take anything including food and water unless it was offered to him.

He suffered a great deal of physical pain and torture from various sources. Among them, the most severe was the biting by the highly poisonous snake Chandkaushik. Mahavir remained calm and peaceful in the midst of these torturous events. He never lost his serenity and never developed hatred for anyone.

He led such a highly austere life for twelve and a half years. He thought about the soul and matter and at the age of forty-two he attained omniscience, Kevalgyan. He became Jina, the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of the present era. As omniscient he knew everything of the past, present and future.

As the last Tirthankar, he revived the religious order, or Jain Sangh, of monks, nuns, shravaks and shravikas. His first disciple, called Gandhars, was Gautamswami, a well-known Brahmin scholar in that time. Lord Mahavir had eleven Gandhars, who compiled twelve scriptures based on what Lord Mahavir had taught. These scriptures are called Agams. They were passed verbally from preceptor to pupil for a long time. They were put into writing about 890 years after Mahavir.

For 30 years after Kevalgyan, he spread the message of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, right conduct and non-possession. He advocated against the barriers of caste, creed and faith. He also talked to protect all living creatures. He thought that there is no interference of any superhuman or supernatural being in our lives. Thus, performing any ritual to please Gods is useless. It is the purity of our feelings and thoughts that lead to spiritual progress. He spoke against all rituals including those sacrifices of materials and animals. His sermons encouraged to build a happy and harmonious society.

At the age of seventy-two, in 527 BC, Mahavir left his human body and attained salvation (Nirvana) at Pavapuri, in the state of Bihar in India. Since then Pavapuri has become a place of pilgrimage for Jains. Nirvan means that he attained liberation and became a Siddha who no longer has to undergo the cycle of birth and death.