Bhagwan Mahavir

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Bhagwan Mahavir:

This document, "Bhagwan Mahavir" by Bechardas Doshi, commemorates the 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir, highlighting the significance of such celebrations for the Indian government and its people. It draws inspiration from the Yoga Shastra, attributing the title "Yoginath" (Lord of Yogis) to Mahavir. The text emphasizes that all Yoginaths in India have risen from ordinary human beginnings to attain a state of equanimity and detachment, embodying the characteristics of a "Sthitapragnya" (one with steady wisdom) as described in the Bhagavad Gita.

The journey to achieving this state of detachment and equanimity, like any lofty goal, took a considerable amount of time. Lord Mahavir's spiritual development is described as a long process involving numerous past lives, with the text focusing on 26 key births. While not detailing all of them, it highlights a specific birth as Nayasaar to illustrate the early seeds of his spiritual practice and eventual enlightenment.

Nayasaar's Birth: Nayasaar, as a woodcutter, demonstrated compassion for all living beings by instructing his men to cut only old, dry trees. During a midday meal, he encountered two distressed Jain monks. Moved by their fatigue, Nayasaar offered them rest and food, showcasing his inherent kindness and hospitality. He then personally guided the monks to the main road, receiving two spiritual admonishments from them. These encounters, particularly his concern for trees and his respectful treatment of the monks, are presented as the initial manifestations of his future universal compassion and the beginning of his yogic practice.

Lord Mahavir's Birth and Early Life: After a long spiritual journey and development, the soul of Mahavir was born as a divine being in the Pushpottar airplane in Pranata heaven. Upon the completion of this celestial life, he descended into the womb of Queen Trishala, wife of King Siddhartha, in an auspicious manner, indicated by fourteen divine dreams. These dreams, including a lion, an elephant, and the goddess Lakshmi, were interpreted by the King as the arrival of an extraordinary soul destined to bring glory to their lineage.

Upon his birth, the child was named Vardhaman, signifying his growth and prosperity. He received a comprehensive education, demonstrating exceptional intelligence and a friendly nature with all his classmates, regardless of their social standing. He excelled in his studies, often helping his peers and even assisting his elderly teacher, showcasing his respect for elders and his innate ability to grasp complex subjects.

Vardhaman's Character and Awakening: Vardhaman displayed remarkable courage from a young age. During a game, he fearlessly protected his friends by removing a snake from a tree. This act, while praised by his peers, caused his mother some concern. Vardhaman, however, explained that as a Kshatriya, it was his duty to protect others, reinforcing his inherent sense of responsibility.

As he grew, Vardhaman became proficient in various skills befitting a prince, including horsemanship and archery. He also began observing society closely, moving among different strata of people and understanding their struggles. He was deeply affected by the poverty and suffering of the common people, particularly farmers and laborers, who bore the brunt of taxation and hardship, while the privileged enjoyed a life of ease without contributing much. This led him to question the prevalent societal inequalities and the pursuit of material wealth.

Renunciation and Spiritual Quest: Vardhaman's contemplation led him to a detachment from worldly pleasures and luxuries. He withdrew from celebratory events and began to lead a simpler life. His parents, noticing this change, eventually inquired about his thoughts. Vardhaman shared his observations about the suffering caused by the pursuit of wealth and expressed his disinclination towards continuing the family's landholding responsibilities. His parents, recognizing the depth of his conviction and his true Kshatriya spirit, accepted his decision, though they wished he would manage the estate during their lifetime.

Vardhaman was deeply devoted to his parents and served them diligently. He realized that to alleviate suffering and achieve true inner peace, he needed to follow the path of asceticism, endure physical hardships, and burn away his remaining desires through contemplation and detachment. He resolved to attain the state of Vitaraga (free from passions) by remaining equanimous in all circumstances.

Asceticism and Transformation: At the age of twenty-eight, after his parents' passing, Vardhaman found it difficult to remain in the palace. He renounced his share of the property, distributing it among the people. With the consent of his brother Nandivardhana and relatives, he embarked on a solitary spiritual journey at the age of thirty. He renounced all worldly possessions, including the fine garment offered by the people, choosing to live in a state of natural nakedness (Yathajat).

Confronting Dangers and Demonstrating Non-Violence: Vardhaman's spiritual journey was marked by his encounters with formidable challenges, which he faced with unwavering equanimity. In Karmar village, a cowherd, angered by seeing him in a natural state in an isolated spot, attacked him. However, Vardhaman remained undisturbed in his meditation.

He then proceeded towards Shwetambhi, where he had learned of a dangerous serpent, Chandakaushik, causing terror and destruction. He found the region plagued by the serpent's violence, with many lives lost. Vardhaman decided to confront the serpent, meditating near its lair. Chandakaushik, surprised by Vardhaman's fearlessness and his undisturbed state, became enraged. Despite the serpent's venomous attacks and attempts to bite him, Vardhaman remained unperturbed. Through his calm demeanor and spiritual teachings, he pacified Chandakaushik, revealing the serpent's past life and guiding it towards understanding and repentance. This act not only saved an individual soul but also brought peace to the surrounding populace.

Similarly, Vardhaman confronted another formidable entity, a Yaksha named Shoolpaani, known for its cruel and destructive nature. Despite warnings, Vardhaman spent the night in meditation at the Yaksha's abode. The Yaksha, enraged by Vardhaman's unwavering peace, unleashed its fury, but to no avail. Eventually, the Yaksha, impressed by Vardhaman's spiritual power, sought forgiveness and adopted a more peaceful way of life, bringing relief to the people. These encounters demonstrated the immense power of his inner strength, compassion, and non-violence.

Overcoming Hardships and Achieving Enlightenment: Vardhaman's journey involved enduring severe physical hardships, including hunger, thirst, heat, and cold. He traversed both his homeland and challenging, uncivilized regions, where he faced further persecution. Through intense penance and self-discipline for twelve years, he gradually conquered his senses, desires, and passions. His mind and body became completely subservient to his spiritual will.

Through this arduous spiritual discipline, he achieved the state of "Brahmavihara" (divine abiding), a state of profound peace and bliss, often referred to as "Prasad" in Yoga Shastra. At the age of forty-two, he became free from desires, detached, free from passions, steady-witted, and equanimous, reaching the pinnacle of mental clarity and liberation.

Attainment of Nirvana: The text describes Lord Mahavir's state after enlightenment, comparing him to the moon in coolness, the sun in brilliance, an elephant in valor, Mount Meru in stability, the earth in tolerance, the ocean in depth, a lion in fearlessness, fire in radiance, a boar in solitude, an ox in strength, a tortoise in control of senses, a serpent in focused vision, gold in luster, and a bird in freedom. He became impartial to friend and foe, wealth and poverty, stone and jewel, worldly life and liberation.

For the remaining thirty years of his life, Bhagwan Mahavir wandered the earth, disseminating his teachings and dispelling ignorance with his wisdom. He finally attained Nirvana in the city of Apapa, concluding his 72-year life. Even after 2500 years, his teachings continue to inspire the people of India, guiding them towards a peaceful and virtuous life through self-restraint and detachment. The current celebration is an invitation to emulate his life and strive for the same peace and spiritual fulfillment he achieved.