Vartaman Yug Me Mahavir Ke Updesh Ki Sarthakata

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Vartaman Yug me Mahavir ke Updesh ki Sarthakata" (The Relevance of Mahavir's Teachings in the Present Era) by Yashpal Jain:

The book's premise, as stated on the first page, is to address the question of the relevance of Lord Mahavir's teachings in the current era. The author begins by drawing a parallel to the skepticism expressed during Mahatma Gandhi's birth centenary celebrations in 1969. Some people questioned the utility of promoting Gandhi's principles, arguing that societal norms had changed, people's thinking had evolved, and his ideas were outdated. Despite such doubts, efforts were made to demonstrate the continued applicability of Gandhi's philosophies.

The author then applies this analogy to Lord Mahavir. If such doubts could be raised about Gandhi, who passed away only 27 years prior, then it's unsurprising that similar questions might arise about Lord Mahavir, whose nirvana (liberation) occurred 2500 years ago. The core issue, according to the author, is that in India, there's been a lack of genuine effort to understand the inner essence of great souls' teachings and achieve self-realization. Consequently, despite constant praise for these great figures, their path of self-purification and public welfare remains largely unfollowed.

The text then discusses the planned 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Lord Mahavir (November 1974 to November 1975), which was met with great enthusiasm and various organizational efforts at national and international levels. However, the author observes that the intended impact of Mahavir and his principles on national and international life has not been significantly felt.

The primary reason for this perceived lack of impact is attributed to an overemphasis on the external aspects of Mahavir's teachings while neglecting a deep understanding and internalization of their inner core. The author acknowledges that the current era is heavily influenced by materialism, making it challenging to redirect its course. However, they argue that if efforts had been made to present Mahavir's teachings with their profound inner meaning and to encourage their adoption in both individual and collective lives, the current situation would be different.

The book then invites the reader to explore the relevance of Mahavir's teachings in the contemporary context by examining his life and philosophy.

Mahavir's Renunciation and the Essence of His Teachings:

The author highlights that Mahavir, born into royalty with immense wealth and power, did not seek to use these for societal betterment in the conventional sense. A pivotal incident illustrates this: Mahavir witnessed a prince publicly whipping his slave. Upon learning that the slave was purchased and thus the master had the right to inflict such punishment, Mahavir's sensitive heart was deeply pained. He questioned the purpose of a governance system that permits one person to buy and even kill another. This event sparked a rebellion in his heart against such power structures and ignited a desire for a life where no one is a master and no one is a slave, but where human values prevail.

The text emphasizes that Mahavir found material wealth and worldly power to be inherently unsatisfactory. He understood that true happiness lies in a life of equality, devoid of distinctions like high and low, rich and poor, and where individuals continuously develop their spiritual wealth.

The Core Principles:

The author elaborates on Mahavir's three dimensions of spiritual practice:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Mahavir fostered the development of maitri (friendship and universal love). He believed that even harm to the smallest creatures was unacceptable.
2. Satya (Truth): He practiced dhyana (meditation) and contemplation. Through the understanding of his inherent solitude ("I am alone"), he achieved anasakti (non-attachment), which opened the door to spiritual realization.
3. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): He practiced asvad (abstinence from seeking taste) and detachment from the body. He believed that by overcoming attachment to the body, the fire of abrahma-charya (uncontrolled desires) would naturally extinguish.

Mastering the Mind:

The book stresses that the root cause of our suffering is the fickle nature of the mind. The mind, constantly seeking more, is never satisfied. Mahavir's first step was to gain control over his mind. He initially practiced austerity within his home and later renounced all wealth, power, and comforts to embark on a path of rigorous spiritual discipline for complete freedom. His practices, such as renouncing clothes, living in solitude, neglecting food, and deep meditation, were all aimed at mental control. As his control over his mind grew, he entered a new, illuminated world.

Detachment from Materialism and Desires:

The author observes that modern society is deeply engrossed in the pursuit of material possessions, mistaking them for the source of happiness. People worship the transient, forgetting that it cannot provide lasting joy. Mahavir recognized the insatiable nature of desire, stating that even the entire world given to one person would not bring contentment. He cautioned that attachment to wealth can blind individuals to the path of righteousness.

Mahavir's practice of breaking free from the cycle of past memories and future imaginations led to the liberation of his mind. The text acknowledges the terrifying experiences Mahavir faced during his twelve years of spiritual practice, suggesting that even the attacks by animals like elephants and snakes were manifestations of his own internal weaknesses and undeveloped mind. Once Mahavir's mind came under control, his internal enemies had no place to dwell.

Overcoming Attachment and Aversion:

The author explains that humans are social beings who develop raag (attachment) and dvesh (aversion) towards others. However, as Mahavir's mind became controlled, the distinction between "self" and "other" disappeared. Everyone became his own, and he developed a deep sense of intimacy with all beings. He became vitarag (free from attachment) and vitedvesh (free from aversion), and a pure source of love and equanimity flowed from within him. He declared that "raag and dvesh are two sins that give birth to all other sinful actions."

Mahavir identified word, form, smell, taste, and touch as five aids that contribute to the creation of raag and dvesh. He provided guidance by suggesting that in relation to these sensory experiences, one should renounce raag and dvesh.

Eternal Values:

The book concludes by emphasizing that while contexts and environments change with time, fundamental values remain eternal. The values established by Lord Mahavir are as unshakeable as the Himalayas and as pure as the Ganges. These values – truth, non-violence, non-possession, and celibacy – are rooted in individual life. Unless these are incorporated into a person's life, they cannot permeate society. Therefore, individual spiritual practice is the foundation of society.

Finally, the author points out a deficiency in the planning of Mahavir's 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav: while there was an emphasis on establishing Mahavir's principles in society, there was insufficient focus on establishing them within individuals. This is why, despite the year-long celebrations, a significant tangible outcome has not been observed. The book reiterates that unless we establish Lord Mahavir within our inner lives, neither we, nor society, nor the nation can achieve true welfare.