Mahavir

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text by Sukhlal Sanghavi, titled "Mahavir," focusing on the author's approach to understanding Lord Mahavir's life:

Introduction: Moving Beyond Recitation to Deeper Understanding

The author, Sukhlal Sanghavi, begins by acknowledging that most Jains are familiar with the life story of Lord Mahavir through scriptures and religious observances like Paryushan. However, he states that his aim is not to reiterate known narratives or events. Instead, he intends to guide the audience towards a more authentic understanding of Mahavir's life, explaining the reasons behind the diverse and sometimes conflicting interpretations that exist among his followers. He believes that by removing misunderstandings, a deeper mystery of Mahavir's life can be revealed. He emphasizes that his insights are based on personal experience and encourages others to reflect on his words to deepen their own understanding.

The Analogy of Art: From Distance to Intimacy

Sanghavi uses an analogy of viewing a picture or a statue to illustrate his point. A person viewing a picture from a distance perceives it differently than someone who gets closer. The closest and most profound understanding comes from examining it closely, perhaps even holding it. Similarly, people observing a statue of Lord Mahavir in a temple from different locations (far away, in the hall, or inside the sanctum) will have varying degrees of clarity and perception, even with equal concentration and faith.

The Three Stages of Understanding a Spiritual Life:

He then applies this analogy to the study of a spiritual leader's life:

1. Stage 1: Listening and Faith (Shraddha): Initially, reading or hearing a biography of Mahavir creates a certain impression. This is akin to seeing a picture from afar, based on widely accepted narratives. This stage is characterized by faith, and the reader may not question the presented facts.

2. Stage 2: Contemplation and Reasoning (Manan/Tarka): Upon revisiting the life story and contemplating specific events with logic and intellect, the initial impression begins to change. New questions arise, and this stage can even inspire a questioning of established beliefs. This intellectual engagement can lead to a conflict between faith and reason, prompting the seeker to delve deeper.

3. Stage 3: Research and Deep Reflection (Sanshodhan/Nididhyasan): This is the most critical stage, where the seeker is driven to discover the original sources and underlying basis of the narratives. Questions arise about the authenticity and origins of the accounts. This pursuit leads to the study of older texts and comparative analysis with the lives of other spiritual figures like Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Christ, and Zoroaster.

The Evolution of Sanghavi's Understanding:

Sanghavi shares his personal journey. Initially, his faith was strong and exclusive to Mahavir. However, as he progressed through the stages, questions and intellectual debates began to emerge. He questioned events like the "transfer of the embryo" (Garbhapaharan), finding them difficult to reconcile with his intellect. This internal conflict led him to examine the lives of other spiritual leaders, noting the prevalence of miraculous accounts across their biographies.

He then felt compelled to investigate the roots of these life stories. Recognizing the nearly 2,500-year gap, he questioned whether the available narratives were direct accounts by Mahavir himself, his close disciples, or later interpolations. This curiosity propelled him to study ancient texts like Acharanga and Bhagvati Sutra, as well as the origins of accounts about other figures. This process of questioning, research, and comparison eventually led him to a state of equilibrium between faith and intellect, a balanced state he calls "Samayika-Samat."

Reinterpreting Miracles and Allegories:

This balanced perspective allowed him to see that the core of a spiritual leader's being is the dharmadeha (body of dharma), which is self-illuminating and free from the coverings of miracles. He realized that apparent inconsistencies in the lives of great personalities often dissolve when viewed from this perspective.

Sanghavi suggests that the miraculous events and allegorical narratives in Mahavir's life, such as the transfer of the embryo or splitting a mountain with a finger, are not to be taken literally. Instead, they are likely metaphors and symbolic representations used to convey profound spiritual truths to the common people.

• Transfer of Embryo (Garbhapaharan): He interprets this as a symbol of Mahavir's revolutionary knowledge and asceticism, which emerged from the traditional Brahmanical rituals (Karmakanda) and was imbued with Kshatriya valor. It represents the transition of his karmic lineage into a more profound spiritual realm.

• Splitting a Mountain (Sumera Shattering): This is seen as a metaphor for Mahavir's unwavering determination and willpower, symbolized by a single finger, to overcome all internal and external obstacles and challenges that arose at the beginning and throughout his spiritual journey.

The Essence of Mahavir's Life:

Through this interpretative lens, Sanghavi presents a picture of Mahavir not as a divine being in the conventional sense, but as a Maha-manav (Great Human) who transcended ordinary human limitations through sheer effort and spiritual discipline. His core message, as gleaned from ancient scriptures, is the universality of suffering and the imperative to alleviate the suffering of others without causing harm. He advocated for the unity of mind, speech, and action, emphasizing self-control and the conquest of inner enemies.

The Dual Struggle: Jada vs. Chetana

Sanghavi highlights Mahavir's core philosophy: the fundamental distinction between the inert (jada) and the sentient (chetana). He explains that the constant struggle between desires fueled by the inert (karma vasana) and the divine impulses of consciousness (chetana) and effort (purushartha) is a cosmic battle. However, it is the unwavering strength of consciousness that ultimately triumphs over the blind force of inert desires. This profound understanding is what elevated Mahavir to the status of "Mahavir" (Great Hero).

Addressing Disagreements Among Followers:

Sanghavi reiterates that the differing opinions among followers stem from their stage of understanding:

• The Faith-Oriented Seeker (Shraddhalu): Views every word as literal truth and opposes intellectual questioning, fearing it undermines faith. They are like those who see a picture from afar.

• The Reason-Oriented Seeker (Tarkavadi): Focuses on apparent inconsistencies in the narratives and dismisses them as flaws, ignoring the underlying coherence or allegorical meaning. They are like those who focus only on the surface.

• The Research-Oriented Seeker (Sanshodhan-Nididhyasan): Integrates both faith and reason, allowing for a balanced and truthful exploration. They understand the symbolic nature of miracles and seek the underlying message.

Conclusion: The Path to True Understanding

Sanghavi concludes by emphasizing that his current understanding of Mahavir is still incomplete, acknowledging the immense effort, time, and detached observation required for true comprehension. He states that true realization of Mahavir's spiritual life can only come from living a life dedicated to spiritual practice, much like a poet's true understanding of their epic comes from living the life they describe.

Ultimately, Sanghavi's work aims to demonstrate how a balanced approach, integrating faith, reason, and diligent research, can resolve apparent contradictions in the life of a great spiritual leader and lead to a deeper, more profound appreciation of their teachings and legacy. He encourages followers to move beyond mere recitation or intellectual criticism and engage in a deeper process of nididhyasana (deep contemplation) to truly understand and benefit from the profound insights of Lord Mahavir.