Mahavir In The Making From Bhil To Bhagwan - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of "Mahavir in the Making from Bhil to Bhagwan" by Jayantilal Jain:

Overall Purpose and Introduction:

The book aims to illustrate the spiritual journey of Lord Mahavir, tracing his evolution from a tribal (Bhil) man to a divine being (Bhagwan). The core message is that anyone, regardless of their current circumstances or past, can achieve the exalted state of a pure soul (Moksha) through dedicated effort and correct spiritual understanding. The author emphasizes that Mahavir's story, documented over countless lifetimes, is unique in Jain literature and provides invaluable insight into the path of spiritual liberation.

Structure of the Narrative:

The story is presented in three parts, outlining Mahavir's progress through various lifetimes:

Part I: Rise and Introduction to the Spiritual World: This section details early significant births, including his life as a Bhil, his existence in heavenly realms, and his birth as Marichi, the grandson of the first Tirthankar, Adinath. While he received spiritual knowledge and opportunities in these lives, he often remained at a superficial level, failing to fully grasp the nature of the pure soul. This led to a return to the cycle of rebirth.
Part II: The Vicious Cycle of Births: This part describes the vast period Mahavir spent in lower forms of existence. This includes innumerable births with one, two, three, and four senses, such as plants, shells, and various animals. It highlights how, due to ignorance and deviations from the true path, souls are trapped in this cycle for immense periods, measured in "kodakodi sagar" of years.
Part III: Self-Realization and Attainment of Moksha: This section marks a turning point with Mahavir's re-birth as a human. Even in these human lives, he experienced setbacks, including births as a lion and in hellish realms. However, crucial moments, like encountering Jain monks, led to self-realization. Through successive births as a lion, a king, a monk, and in heavenly realms, he rapidly ascended the spiritual ladder. The culmination is his birth as Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of this era, who renounced the world, attained omniscience (Kevalagyan), and finally achieved Moksha, becoming a Bhagwan for eternity.

Key Births and Experiences Highlighted:

The book details several significant births in Mahavir's journey:

Bhil/Tribal: His initial encounter with a monk and his wife's intervention marks the beginning of his spiritual awakening.
Heavenly Abodes: Multiple births in various heavens (First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth, Sixteenth Heavens) where he experienced pleasures but lacked lasting peace and failed to achieve liberation without true knowledge.
Marichi: Grandson of Adinath, he had opportunities to follow the true path but instead deviated and founded a separate belief system (later identified as Hinduism), a significant misstep that cost him dearly.
Priyamitra: A Chakravarti King who renounced his kingdom but later broke away from Adinath's path.
Puspamitra, Agnisaha, Agnimita, Bhardvas: Repeated births in Brahmin families, taking to renunciation, but still lacking complete understanding of the pure soul.
Lion: In this life, despite consuming flesh, he had a pivotal moment of enlightenment upon seeing Jain monks, leading to the renunciation of violence.
Triprashta Vasudev: A prince who became a monk but also engaged in violence, resulting in a descent to hell.
Sinhketu, Kanakdhraj, Devanand, Harishen: Further births in heavenly realms and as kings, where he continued to acquire spiritual knowledge.
Nanda King: In this birth, he learned about his past lives and renounced the world, experiencing the karmic bondage that leads to Tirthankarhood.
Mahavir: His final birth as the son of King Siddarth, leading to his spiritual enlightenment and ultimate Moksha.

Key Lessons and Insights:

The book offers profound lessons for readers:

The True Path to Moksha: The purpose of the story is not just the duration of the journey, but the emphasis on making "right efforts" in understanding the pure soul. This can lead to rapid spiritual progress.
The Nature of Karma: Ups and downs in life (climax and anti-climax) are natural consequences of karmic bondage.
Personal Transformation: The story demonstrates that one can rise from humble beginnings, fall to lower states, and still achieve liberation. Examples include Mahavir teaching non-violence after living as a lion, and attaining Moksha after existing in hell and with one sense.
Ignorance as the Greatest Enemy: Sins might cause a few births, but ignorance about the self (the pure soul) leads to infinite births. Acquiring knowledge of the soul is the paramount duty.
The Benefit of Vegetarianism: While adopting a vegetarian diet can lead to heavenly births and access to spiritual knowledge, it is insufficient for Moksha without the understanding of the pure soul.
The Importance of Self-Realization: No one can escape the cycle of births and deaths without self-realization.
The Interconnectedness of Lives: Events and attachments in one life can have repercussions in the same place in subsequent lives.
Human Births as Precious Opportunities: Human births are rare and offer the best chance to break the cycle of rebirth by gaining knowledge of the pure soul.
Universality of the Journey: Mahavir's story is a universal narrative for all souls, showing that anyone can achieve Moksha by changing their lives and following the path of the pure soul.

About the Author:

Dr. Jayantilal Jain is a renowned Jain scholar with extensive experience in Jain studies and economics. He holds Ph.D.s in both fields and has served as a professor and director in academic institutions. His work focuses on elucidating Jain philosophy through public discourses and publications, aiming to provide spiritual guidance and insight to a wider audience.