India - Mahaveer Jayanti

Mahaveer Jayanti

In the line of 24 Thirthankaras, Bhagwan Mahaveer was the last.

About 2602 years ago in 599 B.C. Bhagwan Mahaveer descended on this world from celestial regions taking birth as the son of King Siddharth in Kshatriyakund Gram suburb of Vaishali kingdom. It was on the thirteenth night of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra that Queen Trishala gave birth to this great soul.

Ever since Mahaveer entered into his mother's womb there was a steady increase in affluence and prosperity in the kingdom of his father Siddharth and that is why he was named Vardhaman.

Mahaveer was brought up in the midst of princely comforts but he did not like to lead a worldly life. His soul was hankering after the higher truth, which could bring a permanent solution to the problems. He therefore wanted to renounce the world but the tradition has it that he did not like to cause slightest grief to his parents and he decided to leave the household after their death. But his elders would not permit him to renounce the world even after his parents were no more and hence he deferred his initiation further by two years.

After a prolonged exertion in the form of deep meditation and severe austerities for over 12 years, on the 10th day of bright fortnight of the month of Baisakh Sud in the 13th year he attained perfect knowledge-Keval Gayan, self-enlightenment elevating himself to the state of an Arihant, the Jina, Kevali, all knowing, all seeing, the omniscent, world teacher of universal truth, supreme wisdom and infinite compassion. Before attaining perfect knowledge, he was wandering alone and keeping silence. But from then onwards he went about preaching religion from place to place with his large following. He adopted the language of the masses. His first sermon was before the eleven great scholars from Magadh, Videha, Kosala, Vatsa, etc. who all gathered with thousands of their pupils to attend the ritual of sacrifice (Maha Yagna). All of them were convinced by the doctrine of Anekantavad (multiple view points) and became the followers of Bhagwan Mahaveer. Among his followers were kings, queens, tribal chieftains, princes, princesses, merchants, farmers potters and low-class people.

According to Jain principles a house holder (Grahasth) shall observe five vows by Man, Vachan and Kaya (thought, deed and action). The vows are Ahimsa (non- violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (not to commit theft), Brahmacharya (chastity) and Aparigraha. All the five principles, if observed honestly, can be helpful in solving all the problems of the universe and will bring peace, happiness and prosperity to all living beings.