Viharki Mahan Den Mahavir Aur Indrabhuti

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text:

Book Title: Viharki Mahan Den: Mahavir aur Indrabhuti (The Great Contribution of Bihar: Mahavir and Indrabhuti) Author: Darbarilal Kothiya Publisher: Z_Darbarilal_Kothiya_Abhinandan_Granth_012020.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/211944/1

This text, "The Great Contribution of Bihar: Mahavir and Indrabhuti" by Darbarilal Kothiya, emphasizes the profound historical and cultural impact of the region of Bihar, India, and specifically highlights the contributions of Tirthankar Mahavir and Indrabhuti Gautam to the Indian cultural and religious landscape.

The Significance of Bihar:

The author begins by asserting that Bihar is a sacred land that has given birth to creators of culture and has forged a bright history for itself and all of India. Bihar is credited with awakening cultural consciousness and has a prominent place in India's political history, having been the birthplace of the republic (democracy). Although the Lichhavi republic of Vaishali was smaller than modern Indian democracy, its conception and establishment against a backdrop of long-standing monarchies represented a courageous, democratic step and a testament to the exceptional foresight of the people of Bihar. Bihar also played a crucial role in revitalizing Indian culture, removing stagnation and perversions, and infusing it with new life, thereby influencing the entire nation. While Buddha was born in Kapilavastu (Uttar Pradesh), his primary sphere of activity was Bihar, particularly Vaishali and Rajgriha, where Tirthankar Mahavir and other religious propagators were highly influential.

Tirthankar Mahavir's Contribution:

• Birth and Early Life: Tirthankar Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankar of Jainism, was born 2573 years ago near Vaishali to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. He was known for his wisdom, insight, and detachment from a young age.
• Disillusionment and Renunciation: Witnessing the deplorable religious state of Bihar and India, characterized by blind faith, superstition, and widespread violence, including animal and human sacrifices performed in the name of religion, Mahavir felt compelled to act. At the age of 30, he renounced his home, kingdom, and worldly life, taking the Nirgrantha (unbound) initiation.
• Asceticism and Enlightenment: For 12 years, he engaged in deep introspection and rigorous ascetic practices like fasting in forests, mountain caves, and tree hollows. During this period, he maintained silence, leading some to believe he was mad. However, he was continuously absorbed in self-contemplation, enduring immense hardships inflicted by others.
• Breaking the Silence and Teachings: His silence broke only after attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and the arrival of his worthy disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam. For the next 30 years, Mahavir's teachings flowed continuously, profoundly impacting the religious history of India.
• Challenging Religious Practices: Mahavir bravely challenged the prevalent practice of animal sacrifice and the glorification of rituals (Yajnas) that promised heavenly rewards and material gains. He vehemently opposed these practices, proclaiming the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). His message resonated even with staunch opponents, leading many, including Indrabhuti Gautam and his followers, to abandon their opposition and embrace Ahimsa and the rejection of animal sacrifice.
• Prohibition of Meat Consumption and Human Sacrifice: Mahavir also condemned human sacrifice and the consumption of meat, stating that it is impossible to practice Ahimsa while consuming meat. He argued that the meat from sacrificed animals or humans, often justified by Vedic texts, was a grave error and ignorance. True religion, he taught, lies in conquering internal vices, controlling the senses, showing compassion to all beings, practicing charity, and engaging in self-contemplation. Religion is a light emanating from within the soul, dispelling darkness and offering fearlessness. Violence is born of ignorance.
• The Philosophy of Ahimsa: Mahavir emphasized that complete Ahimsa is achieved by remaining vigilant and thoughtful in mind, speech, and action. He defined violence as the taking of life due to passions (kashayas). His vision was broad, considering every creature equal and promoting the doctrine of "Samabhava" (equanimity).
• Path to Liberation: His relentless pursuit of self-welfare led him to attain perfect knowledge, perception, strength, and happiness. His subsequent 30 years of wandering and preaching benefited all beings, with the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of karma and suffering. He advocated for Ahimsa for ethical conduct and the "Anekantavada" (non-absolutism) perspective for purifying the mind and thoughts, alongside the use of "Syadvada" (conditional predication) for measured speech.
• Lasting Impact and Literature: Mahavir's teachings have left an enduring legacy, with a rich body of literature preserved in Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Maharashtri, Gujarati, and other languages. Numerous individuals from all walks of life, including criminals like Prince Vidyuchara and Anjan Chor, as well as women like Chandana, who were ostracized by society, found spiritual upliftment through his teachings. Even creatures born into lower forms of life benefited from his sermons, demonstrating the broad inclusivity and vastness of Mahavir's dharma.
• Formation of the Chaturvidha Sangha: Mahavir established a unique social structure comprising four categories: Shravak (lay followers), Shravika (lay followers), Sadhu (monks), and Sadhvi (nuns). Each category had a leader responsible for its growth and management, creating a well-organized Sangha that continues to this day. His organizational model even influenced Buddha, who initially hesitated to admit women into his order but later did so after learning about Mahavir's inclusive Sangha structure.
• Moksha: Mahavir attained liberation (Moksha) at Pavapuri.

Indrabhuti Gautam's Contribution:

• Renowned Scholar: Indrabhuti was a preeminent scholar of his time and a learned Vedic authority. Jain literature describes him as a great personality.
• Vedic Prowess and Scholarly Background: According to Acharya Yatishrushbha (5th century CE), Indrabhuti hailed from the Nirmal Gautam clan, was an expert in all four Vedas, and possessed pure conduct. Acharya Virsen (9th century CE), author of the Dhavala and Jayadhavala commentaries, states that Indrabhuti was endowed with four types of knowledge (Kshayopasham-generated pure knowledge), was a Brahmin, belonged to the Gautam gotra, was proficient in all scriptures, and approached Vardhamana Tirthankar to resolve his doubts regarding the nature of soul and non-soul.
• Etymology of his Names: Acharya Jinsen (9th century CE), disciple of Virsen and author of Aadi Purana, explains the etymology of his names. He was called 'Indrabhuti' because Indra came to worship him, and 'Gautam' because he understood and taught about the all-knowing divine speech ("Gau-sarvajna-bharati").
• Leadership in Great Yajna: Jain sources indicate that Indrabhuti Gautam led a grand Yajna organized by Arya Somil in Pavapuri, attracting many prominent scholars and their disciples, highlighting his significant influence as a Vedic scholar.
• Absence in Vedic Literature: The author notes the surprising absence of Indrabhuti in Vedic literature, attributing it to his eventual discipleship under Tirthankar Mahavir and his renunciation of Vedic ideology.
• Mahavir's Disciple: Jain literature suggests that Mahavir did not preach for 65 days after attaining Kevala Jnana due to the lack of an individual capable of comprehending and compiling his profound teachings. Indra, through his divine knowledge, recognized Indrabhuti's capacity to retain Mahavir's words but also his Vedic background and pride.
• Encounter with Mahavir: Indra, disguised as a Brahmin boy, approached Indrabhuti, who was surrounded by 500 disciples and engaged in Vedic studies. The disguised Indra requested an explanation of a particular stanza. Indrabhuti, unable to understand its meaning, asked the boy about its origin. The boy explained that the author was meditating in silence on Vipulagiri and that he was seeking clarification from Indrabhuti.
• Overcoming Ego and Attaining Samyaktva: Unable to explain the stanza, and finding it against his pride to admit this, Indrabhuti, along with his disciples, decided to debate the matter with the boy's guru. Upon entering the assembly on Vipulagiri, the sight of the "Manastambha" (pillar of pride) dispelled Indrabhuti's ego and purified his knowledge. He quickly attained Samyaktva (right faith).
• Becoming the Chief Disciple: Indrabhuti accepted Mahavir's discipleship, took the Nirgrantha initiation, and became his first Ganadhar (chief disciple). Within moments, he acquired the four types of knowledge and achieved excellent self-control.
• Compilation of Teachings: Indrabhuti played a crucial role in compiling Mahavir's teachings into the Twelve Angas of the Shrut (scriptures), which formed the basis of his 30 years of sermons.
• Attaining Nirvana: Ultimately, Indrabhuti passed on his entire scriptural knowledge to Sudharma Swami, Mahavir's other disciple and his successor. He then lived as a Kevali (omniscient being) for 12 years before attaining Nirvana.

In essence, the text celebrates Bihar as a cradle of civilization and highlights the transformative contributions of Tirthankar Mahavir and Indrabhuti Gautam in reforming religious practices, promoting Ahimsa, and shaping the spiritual and intellectual landscape of India, establishing a lasting spiritual tradition.