Mahavira His Life And Teachings

This document is an excerpt from the book "Mahavira: His Life and Teachings" by Saraswati Raghavachari, published by Jain Sastu Sahitya. The book aims to present the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, in a concise and accessible manner, avoiding technical jargon.

The author expresses her gratitude to Jain Muni Kanakvijaya for his instruction. The preface highlights the intention to make the book useful to a wider audience, believing Mahavira's message is for all humanity.

The book is structured into 23 chapters, covering various aspects of Mahavira's life:

• Great Men: It begins by defining great men as those whose thoughts live on, marking humanity's progress towards peace. It categorizes greatness into material, intellectual, and spiritual benefactors, with spiritual saviors being the greatest.
• Mahavir's Greatness: It asserts that Mahavira embodied all three types of greatness – material, intellectual, and spiritual – being a benefactor and a savior of souls.
• Invocation: This chapter extols the name "Mahavira" as a source of sweetness, light, love, life, truth, peace, and strength, and sets the book's aim to outline Mahavira's life and teachings.
• Parentage: It details Mahavira's parents, King Siddhartha (a Kasyapa Gotra of the Gnatakas clan) and Queen Trisila Devi (sister of King Chetaka of Magadha).
• The Great Birth: It describes auspicious dreams of Queen Trisila, signifying the birth of a great soul, and the subsequent prosperity and joy that accompanied the birth of Mahavira on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra.
• Universal Rejoicings: This chapter illustrates the widespread celebration of Mahavira's birth, with decorations, gifts to the poor, tax remissions, and joyous festivities throughout the kingdom.
• The Naming Ceremony: Mahavira was named Vardhamana due to the prosperity that increased from the day of his conception. Other names like Vira, Ati Vira, Sanmati, Gnataputra, Nataputta, and Sramana are also mentioned, with "Mahavira" being the most significant, denoting his heroic valor and steadfastness in danger.
• Early Years: Mahavira inherited virtues from his parents. His childhood demonstrated leadership qualities, and an incident where he calmly controlled a rampaging elephant earned him the title "Vira."
• Education: The book emphasizes the importance of prenatal education, noting Queen Trisila's enriched environment. Mahavira is described as highly intelligent, learned, possessing Avadhi Gnana (clairvoyance), clear memory of past lives, and the ability to endure pain. An anecdote highlights his exceptional knowledge at a young age, astonishing his teachers.
• Marriage and Progeny: Mahavira grew into a noble youth, attracting marriage proposals. Initially hesitant due to his inclination towards celibacy, he agreed to marry Princess Yasoda of Vasantapur to please his parents. They had a daughter, Priyadarshani (also known as Anoja), who later married Jamali and had a daughter.
• Mahavira as a House-holder: Details of his married life are scarce, but it's inferred he was a devoted husband and a householder for a few years, preparing for his mission.
• In the world but not of the world: This chapter highlights Mahavira's detachment from worldly pleasures despite living a princely life. He felt a growing sense of his life's mission.
• That Fine Delicacy of Feeling: Mahavira contemplated renunciation, but his mother's pleas led him to promise not to renounce during his parents' lifetime.
• Not Yet !: After his parents' death, Mahavira prepared to renounce. However, his elder brother Nandivardhan, burdened by grief and kingly duties, pleaded with him to stay. Mahavira, moved by his brother and his wife Yashoda, agreed to stay for two more years, as his life span was 72 years and he was only 28.
• Mahavira & Buddha: A comparison is drawn between Mahavira and Gautama Buddha's renunciation. While Buddha left his family without informing them, Mahavira displayed a more human element by pacifying his family and allowing them time to prepare for his departure.
• Two Years After: During these two years, Mahavira lived externally as a householder but internally as an ascetic, practicing celibacy and contemplation. After this period, he undertook Varshika Mahadana (a year of extensive charity), distributing his wealth to the poor.
• Twelve years of Penance: At the end of the year of charity, Mahavira renounced worldly attachments on the 10th day of the dark fortnight of Margasira, tearing his hair and taking five great vows. He then began twelve years of arduous penance and travel as a Jain Muni.
• Resist Not Evil: An incident is recounted where Mahavira, in deep meditation, was mistakenly beaten by cowherds whose cows had strayed. He remained unmoved, later pardoning the cowherds. This is linked to the philosophy of non-violence and compared to incidents in the lives of Ali and Mahatma Gandhi.
• Strength of Will: An anecdote from the Mahavira Purana describes Rudra and Parvati attempting to test Mahavira's endurance during his meditation. His complete annihilation of sensory desires rendered their attempts futile. This is presented as a parallel to Christ's temptations, emphasizing that the path to greatness is paved with temptations. After his penance, he attained Manhparyaya Gnan (mind-reading knowledge) and eventually Kevalgyan (omniscience).
• Thirty Years of Travel and Preaching: Having attained omniscience, Mahavira began his mission as a Jina, a conqueror. His first disciple was Gautama Indrabhuti. He preached across India, converting people and spreading the doctrines of Jainism. The chapter details his travels, patrons, and significant places like Rajgriha, where King Shrenika was impressed and joined the Holy Order after asking sixty thousand questions.
• Nirvana: The book concludes with Mahavira's attainment of Nirvana (salvation) at Pavapuri. After thirty years of preaching, he passed away at twilight on the 15th day of the first half of Kartika, surrounded by his disciples, followers, and prominent figures.
• Character and Teachings: Mahavira is described as handsome, possessing noble grandeur, heroic strength, and immense intellect. His moral and spiritual greatness was steadfast. He mastered all five sources of knowledge and had boundless culture acquired through Yoga. He was a powerful speaker, patient, forbearing, and courageous, both physically and spiritually. The supreme lesson of "Ahimsa" (non-violence) permeates his life, encompassing action, thought, and word. His life served as a pure and noble example.
• END: The author reiterates that the booklet's aim is to inspire further study of Mahavira's life and teachings, hoping to spark curiosity in readers.

The general notice at the end invites subscriptions to Jain Sastu Sahitya's publications, aiming to expand knowledge. A quote from Pandit Lalan praises the booklet's style and content, comparing it to works by great scholars in England and America.