Mahavira: Jainism Founder & Spiritual Teacher

Mahavira, born in the 6th century BCE in present-day Bihar, India, was a pivotal figure in developing Jainism, an ancient religion emphasizing non-violence, truth, and asceticism. He is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara, a spiritual teacher in the Jain tradition. His renunciation of worldly comforts marks Mahavira’s life, his profound meditation, and his teachings on ethical and spiritual conduct.

He advocated ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (celibacy), and aparigraha (non-attachment) as the fundamental principles of Jainism. Mahavira’s teachings influenced the ascetic and monastic way of life, with Jain monks and nuns following rigorous ascetic practices.

His impact on Indian philosophy and spirituality is profound, as he challenged prevailing religious norms and societal hierarchies. Today, Jainism remains an influential and respected religion in India and has spread to other parts of the world. Mahavira’s legacy endures through his espoused principles and the Jain community’s commitment to non-violence and ethical living.

The Mahavira

Introduction

Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, also known as Vardhamana. He was the spiritual heir of Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Jains believe that the doctrines of the faith are centuries old, much older than Hinduism, and that they were “received” by previous Tirthankaras who passed them down from generation to generation. Vardhaman Mahavir raised his voice against the Vedic religion. He condemned the Vedas and Brahmins and emphasized the potential of man. The religion he preached was known as Jainism, which had a profound impact on Indian culture.

Early Life of Mahavira

Vardhaman Mahavir was born in 599 BC (540 BC, according to some) to a Jnatrika family near Vaishali in Magadha. His father was King Chetaka, and his mother was Trisala. His original name was Vardhaman. In the course of time, he became famous as Mahavir. He is also known from Jaina texts to have been called “Nataputra”, “Cassava” and “Veshaliya”.

Mahavira’s wedding

As he grew older, Mahavir married Yosada and had a daughter named Priyadarshini. Yet he could not confine himself to this worldly life. He did not like to take on the administration. He was always in a contemplative mood. Worldly pleasures could not satisfy him.

Renunciation

When Vardhaman was 28 years old, his parents died and his elder brother Nandivardhana succeeded their father. Vardhamana yearned for freedom from worldly attachments and sought his brother’s permission to give up his royal life. His brother tried to dissuade him from his resolution, but Vardhamana was adamant and practiced fasting and meditation at home. At the age of 30, he finally left his home and adopted the ascetic life of a tenth-day monk, Margashirsha. He gave away his possessions, put on a single piece of cloth, uttered “Namo Siddhanam” (prostration with a liberated soul), and left behind all his worldly attachments.

Mahavira’s life as a mendicant

Mahavir left home and wandered naked in many parts of India. He resorted to severe penance. His hair and nails grew. He never brushed his teeth. People even set dogs on him, which cut his body, but he did not take any medicine. He moved from place to place in search of true knowledge.

Omniscience

During his twelve years of penance, he traveled through Bihar, West and North Bengal, parts of Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. After twelve years of hard penance, the tired Mahaveera is said to have fallen asleep for a few moments when he experienced a series of ten strange dreams. These dreams and their meaning have been explained in the Jain scriptures as follows:

• (i) The defeat of the lion means the destruction of “moha, or worldly attachment.
• (ii) A white-feathered bird following him signifies the attainment of purity of mind.
• (iii) A bird with multi-colored feathers signifies the attainment and dissemination of multifaceted knowledge.
• (iv) Two jewels appear in front, symbolizing the preaching of the dual religion, the amalgamation of the principles of the monastic life, and the duties of the common man.
• (v) A herd of white cows symbolizes a group of devoted followers who will serve.
• (vi) A pond with open lotuses symbolizes the presence of heavenly spirits who will promote the cause.
• (vii) Swimming across the waxy ocean symbolizes freedom from the cycles of death and rebirth.
• (viii) Sun rays spreading in all directions symbolize the attainment of Kevala Jnana (Omniscience).
• (ix) Surrounding the mountain with its bluish bowels symbolizes that the universe will be initiated into knowledge.
• (x) Sitting on a throne placed on top of Mount Meru symbolizes people worshiping the knowledge taught and placing Mahaveer in a place of reverence.

Achieving knowledge

On the tenth day of the rising moon during the month of Vaisakh in 557 BCE, Mahavira sat under a Sal tree on the banks of the Rijupalika River (today’s Barakar River) and attained Jnana, or omniscience. He finally experienced perfect perception, perfect knowledge, perfect conduct, unlimited energy, and unlimited bliss. He became the Other, the one who overcomes attachment. He was known as Nirgrantha or ‘Jina’. He was also known as Nirgrantha’. He further decided to preach this knowledge among the people of India.

Preaching of Jainism

Mahavir first went to Rajagriha, the ancient capital of Magadha. There, he converted eleven Brahmins to Jainism. King Ajatashatru of Magadha embraced Jainism. Mahavir preached Jainism in places like Magadha, Avanti, Vaishali, Anga, Mithila, Sravasti, and many others.

Spiritual path

According to Jain scriptures, Mahavira kept a Samavasaran (preaching pavilion) to spread his knowledge to the common people. His first Samavasarana was not successful, and he held a second one in the city of Pava in the garden of Mahasena. Here his words of wisdom resonated with the masses, and eleven Brahmins decided to accept his preaching and convert to Jainism. These eleven Brahmins, namely Achalbhadra, Agnibhuti, Akampita, Indrabhuti, Mandikata, Mauryaputra, Metarya, Prabhasa, Sudharma, Vayubhuti, and Vyakta, became his chief Gandhara disciples. Lord Mahavira imparted the knowledge of Tripadi (Three Declarations) to his chief disciples, who were Upaneiva (Emergence), Vigameiva (Destruction), and Dhuveiva (Continuity).

Organization

Eleven of Mahavira’s principal disciples brought their own followers into the fold of his teachings. These 4400 followers became the first of the Jain Shramans. Eventually, ordinary people joined his order, and Mahaveer eventually led a community of 14,000 monks (muni), 36,000 nuns (aryika), 159,000 laymen (sravakas), and 318,000 laymen (sravika). These four groups form the fourfold order, or four tirthas, of Jainism. His royal followers included King Chetaka of Vaishali, King Shrenik Bimbisara and Ajjatshatru of Rajagriha, King Udayana, King Chandrapada, the nine Licchavis kings of Koshal, and the nine kings of Kashi.

Teachings of Mahavir

Mahavir preached Jainism in different parts of India. His teachings were simple. The common people could well understand his teachings.

Triratna

Mahavir emphasized a clean and regulated life. To attain this life, he advocated the principle of triratna (the three jewels of Jainism). These are right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct. The practice of all these three faiths leads to salvation.

Five promises

For a well-disciplined life, Mahavir preached five vows. They are Ahimsa (Non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (Non-stealing), Aparigraha (Non-attachment), and Brahmacharya (Celibacy).

• (i) Ahimsa (non-violence): not to cause harm to any living being.
• (ii) Satya (truthfulness): speaking only harmless truth.
• (iii) Asteya (non-stealing): not taking anything that is not properly given.
• (iv) Aparigraha (Non-attachment): complete detachment from people, places, and material things.
• (v) Brahmacharya (Celibacy): not to indulge in sensual pleasures.

Non-Violence

Mahavir laid emphasis on Ahimsa (Non-Violence). He preached that living and non-living things have life. Any injury brings them pain. And so he advised me not to be violent either in action or in mind.

Denial of the Vedas

The Vedas were rejected by Mahavir. He preached that the Vedas were dogmatic and created social tension. He denied the Vedic gods and goddesses and described them as imaginary.

Destiny Man

Mahavir said that man was the architect of his destiny. He can make his life better and happier by his actions. No god or goddess can help him reach this stage.

Theory of Action

Mahavir preached “Karma Vada” (Theory of Action). Accordingly, good deeds bring good results and bad deeds lead to bad results. If a person strives for good deeds, he will achieve good results and his soul will be liberated. Bad deeds will force him to be reborn again and again, and his soul cannot be freed from slavery.

Soul

The soul is the core of the human body. Its sole purpose is to free the body from slavery. It urges a person to resort to good deeds. It also aims to free human beings from the slavery of action. When the soul is liberated, there is no rebirth.

Denial of the caste system

Mahavir denied the caste system. He preached equality among people. He indicated a lower-class society. It was a great tribute to the Indian society which many great men of the world later emphasized.

Denial of Brahmin Supremacy

Mahavir denied the supremacy of Brahmins. He condemned them for bringing dogma into society. He further accused them of creating discord within the company. He denied that Brahmins were in any way superior to anyone in society.

Nirvana

Mahavir dedicated his life to spreading his Keval Jnana among the people and gave lectures in local languages ​​as opposed to elite Sanskrit. His last lecture was at Pavapuri which lasted for 48 hours. He attained moksha shortly after his final discourse, finally breaking free from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth during 526 BC (486 BC) at the age of 72.

Conclusion

Lord Mahavira’s spiritual philosophy includes eight basic principles, three of which are metaphysical and five of which are ethical. Jains believe in the eternal existence of the universe; it was not created and cannot be destroyed. Mahavira thought that the universe consisted of six eternal substances: the soul, space, time, material atoms, the medium of motion, and the medium of rest. These independent components undergo changes to create the multifaceted reality in which mortals exist. Lord Mahavira introduced the philosophy of Anekantavada (principle of non-absolutism), which refers to the pluralism of existence. It teaches that truth and reality can differ when perceived from different points of view and that no single point of view represents the absolute truth. This multifaceted reality is better explained by Syadvada or the Principle of Sevenfold Predictions. The principle of Partial Stand Points or Nayvada, is also an offshoot of Anekantavada and reinforces the Jain belief in the existence of infinite points of view, each expressing a partial truth.

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