Mahavir Yuga Desh Ka Swarna Yuga

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mahavir Yuga, Desh ka Swarna Yuga" by Acharya Shivmuni:

The text, "Mahavir Yuga, Desh ka Swarna Yuga" (The Golden Age of the Nation in the Era of Mahavir), authored by Acharya Shivmuni, positions the era of Lord Mahavir as a golden age for India, characterized by spiritual enlightenment and the dismantling of social inequalities.

The author begins by drawing a parallel between the darkness of Kartik Amavasya (Diwali night) and the oppressive societal conditions prior to Mahavir's advent. Just as Diwali illuminates the night with lamps, Mahavir's enlightened consciousness brought a new dawn to the nation. The festival of Diwali, with its "Lakshmi Pujan" and the welcoming of a new year filled with hopes, is also spiritually significant as it marks the "Nirvana Day" (Moksha Day) of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankar of Jainism.

Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Kundalpur, Vaishali, to Kshatriya parents, Siddhartha and Trishala. His childhood name was Vardhaman, but he was later called "Mahavir" due to his immense courage, fearlessness, and endurance of hardships. At the age of thirty, Mahavir renounced his worldly life, including his empire, palace, wife, and daughter, to embark on the path of spiritual "Sadhana." During his ascetic life, he endured extreme suffering, physical torment, and persecution with equanimity. The text highlights that his body was as hard as a diamond against suffering, yet his heart melted like butter upon seeing the suffering of others. He showed compassion even to those who caused him pain, such as Gaushala.

Mahavir's teachings are described as profound and transformative. He advocated for Ahimsa (non-violence) and Aparigraha (non-possession). To resolve intellectual conflicts in the world, he introduced the principle of "Anekantavada" (the doctrine of manifold aspects or perspectives). This principle emphasizes that a seeker of truth should be impartial, should not criticize or disrespect any religion or thought, but rather consider all aspects of an issue with discernment and patience to arrive at the truth.

The era of Lord Mahavir is presented as a period of great spiritual awakening and the rise of people's power in India. Before Mahavir, India was plagued by societal issues:

• Animal Sacrifice in Yajnas: Violent and cruel animal sacrifices were prevalent in religious rituals.
• Exclusion of Women: Women were denied participation in religious studies and rituals.
• Oppression of Shudras: The Shudra community faced severe discrimination, were considered inferior, and subjected to inhumane treatment.

Mahavir strongly opposed animal sacrifice, delivering powerful sermons that moved even learned Brahman scholars. These scholars abandoned their sacrificial rituals and became disciples of Mahavir, becoming proponents of equanimity and non-violence. Notably, Indrabhuti Gautam, the greatest among them, became Mahavir's first Ganadhar, along with 4400 other disciples who took initiation on the same day.

Mahavir championed the upliftment of women, granting them equal rights to study, self-study, and religious observances. He astonished the Vedic scholars by admitting women into his religious order, which included 36,000 nuns and approximately 300,000 female devotees.

Furthermore, Mahavir not only supported the religious rights of Shudras but also put this principle into practice. He asserted that those who follow the vows and principles of good conduct would achieve salvation, regardless of their birth or caste. He believed that a Shudra possessed the same inner consciousness as a Brahmin, and a person's spiritual advancement is determined by their actions, not their birth. He initiated many Shudras into his fold, some of whom became great ascetics. Examples include Arjun Mali (an assassin), Rohineya (a thief), and Harikeshi (from the Chandal community), all of whom became his disciples.

The core of Mahavir's philosophy, as presented in this section, is the eternal flame of equanimity within him. His teachings represent a golden age for India, signifying the ascendance of spiritual development and the dismantling of social injustices.