Mahavir Ki Mahima - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mahavir ki Mahima" by Lakshmichandra, focusing on its key themes and messages:

The text "Mahavir ki Mahima" (The Glory of Mahavir) by Lakshmichandra emphasizes the enduring relevance and profound teachings of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. Although Mahavir is no longer physically present, his life, character, and golden teachings remain accessible through his biography and the actions of his followers. The author highlights the enthusiastic celebration of Mahavir Jayanti and Mahavir Nirvana Day, particularly the extensive events surrounding the 2500th Mahavir Nirvana year, as evidence of his continued influence. However, the text stresses that this is merely a beginning, and much more work remains to be done.

Mahavir's Universal Message:

For All Beings: Mahavir's teachings were not confined to a specific time or region but were meant for all living beings. His religious assemblies (Samavasharan) were inclusive, welcoming men and women, animals, birds, kings, and commoners, high and low, all having equal opportunities to have their doubts resolved.
Foundation of Humanity: In his 72 years of life, Mahavir laid the foundation for humanity and instilled credibility in people.

Addressing Societal Ills:

The text outlines the prevailing conditions during Mahavir's time and how his teachings offered solutions:

Violence and Luxury: Mahavir emerged in an era dominated by violence and excessive luxury.
Rejection of Karma and Self-Deification: There was a disregard for the law of karma and an assertion of one's own absolute truth.
Selfishness and Limited Universal Brotherhood: The concept of universal brotherhood was being confined and restricted due to self-interest.
Need for Reform: Mahavir recognized the necessity for reform in religious, social, economic, and political spheres, emphasizing mental freedom and courage.

Core Principles of Mahavir's Teachings:

The text delves into Mahavir's fundamental principles and their significance:

Ahimsa (Non-violence):
- Right to Life: Since all beings cherish their life and cannot give it, no one has the right to take it.
- Abuse of Intellect: The intellect should not be used to oppress the weak, kill them, or deny them a peaceful life.
- Condemnation of Sacrifice: Ritual sacrifices, including animal and human sacrifices performed in the name of religion, are blatant unrighteousness that erodes moral values.
- "Live and Let Live": This principle is the most beneficial for all living beings, and Ahimsa is the divine mother worthy of such honor.
Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment):
- Desire vs. Reality: While wealth and luxury are desired, there is not enough wealth in the world to fulfill everyone's desires, making their complete fulfillment impossible.
- Hoarding and Inequality: A select few have amassed wealth, creating inequality and suffering – one section afflicted by excess comfort, the other by deprivation.
- Solution: Reduced Needs and Generosity: The solution lies in minimizing personal needs and donating accumulated wealth for the welfare of society and the country. This reduces the motivation for conflict and violence over possessions.
- Benefits of Aparigraha: Wealthy individuals find peace by relinquishing wealth, and the poor can lead more comfortable lives. The revival of social values and a sense of social belonging will occur through the development of the spirit of Aparigraha. Aparigraha is the "living god" that brings joy to creation.
Karma-Phal (Law of Karma):
- Cause and Effect: Actions have consequences. Touching fire brings heat, and touching ice brings coolness. Good deeds bring happiness and success, while bad deeds lead to sorrow and futility.
- Personal Responsibility: The belief that one person performs an action and another reaps the reward is against justice, ethics, and social norms.
- Enthusiasm for Good, Indifference to Bad: One should show enthusiasm for noble deeds and indifference or neglect towards evil actions to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Syadvada (Doctrine of Conditionality/Multi-faceted Truth):
- Partial Truth in All Religions: Just as each petal of a lotus is part of the whole, each religion and philosophy contains a kernel of truth.
- Beyond One's Own Viewpoint: True and eternal truth is realized by accepting the viewpoints of others, not by solely asserting one's own.
- Synthesis of Perspectives: Syadvada, by embracing multiple perspectives, leads to a comprehensive understanding of reality. It acknowledges the impermanence of the soul from one perspective (like Buddhism) and its permanence from another (like Samkhya). The soul is neither absolutely eternal nor absolutely impermanent, but conditionally so.
- Social Harmony: A Syadvada-based perspective allows individuals to establish multiple relationships and become fully integrated social beings.
Anishwarvaad and Universal Brotherhood:
- We are Parts of the Divine: Instead of stating God created the world, it's more accurate to say we are all parts of the divine. We create idols to realize our own divine potential.
- Self-Realization: Like a seed that grows and multiplies, the soul, a part of the divine, can evolve into a divine being and achieve liberation. This perspective avoids the logical paradox of "who created the creator."
- Universal Well-being: The goal is not just personal happiness but the happiness of all beings. This is achieved through Ahimsa and Aparigraha.
- Expanding Universal Brotherhood: The message of "Live and Let Live" must extend from humanity to universal brotherhood, as all beings desire to live.

Mahavir's Relevance Today:

The text poses hypothetical scenarios of what Mahavir would say if he were alive today:

To Violence Perpetrators: "Before killing others, experience death yourself to understand its pain."
To Exploiters: "Before exploiting others, experience exploitation yourself."
To Disbelievers in Karma: "The root of worldly inequality lies in the unequal distribution of individual karma and its fruits. Observe and understand the mystery of karma."
To Dogmatic Preachers: "Your viewpoint is correct from this angle, and theirs is correct from that. Learn the mantra of harmony, not conflict – that is Anekanta (Syadvada)."
To Monotheists: "Just as a child can become an elder, a soul (part of the divine) can become the Supreme Being."
To Those Lacking Compassion: "All living beings cherish their life. Let them live. If you cannot save them from adversity, at least do not cause them suffering for your own pleasure."
To Materialistic Followers: "As long as even one person is hungry, naked, homeless, unemployed, or without status, how can I accept these comforts? Give them to those in need."

The True Nature of Discipleship:

Mahavir did not desire blind devotion, the centralization of his personality or thoughts, or the creation of statues for worship and mere admiration through speeches. Instead, he sought followers who would embody his teachings and practices in their own lives. He wished for them to:

Prioritize Self-Examination: Become self-examining rather than merely obedient.
Learn Through Practice: Teach themselves through their own experiences.
Embrace Transformation: Periodically adapt their thoughts and actions according to the right direction and circumstances.
Consider Renunciation: Reflect on leaving home for the wilderness or becoming lay followers and then ascetics.
Abstain from Sins: Avoid the four passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed), the five sins (violence, falsehood, theft, unchastity, possession), and the seven vices (gambling, meat-eating, intoxication, prostitution, theft, adultery, hunting).

The text concludes by stating that those who turn towards injustice instead of justice, the impure instead of the pure, and false faith instead of right faith are not Mahavir's followers. It acknowledges that while the glory of Mahavir, which even the Ganadharas (chief disciples) could not fully describe, cannot be fully articulated by us, we can offer sincere salutations.

The concluding verses, attributed to Kailash 'Taral', serve as poetic admonitions, urging listeners to heed Mahavir's message for their well-being. They critique selfish actions, lack of compassion, hoarding of wealth, and division, encouraging acts of charity and unity as taught by Mahavir.