Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti

Long, long ago, there was a Brahmin named Rishabhdeva. He lived a peaceful life with his wife Devananda. When Devananda was expecting a baby, there was a divine interference and the embryo inside her womb was transferred to that of Queen Trishala, the wife of King Siddhartha of Kundalpura. Queen Trishala was also known by the name of Priyakarni. Before delivering the baby, the queen had a series of 14 dreams. “What can be the meaning of these strange dreams, my Lord?” she discussed with King Siddhartha. “Hmm! Let me consult the best astrologers of our kingdom,” said the king.

The astrologers interpreted Queen Trishala's dreams. “The dreams that the expectant mother has seen are the indications of the forthcoming child's future,” said the astrologers. “What is the future of my child? Please tell me, O noble men!” King Siddhartha pleaded. “The child would be either an emperor or a Thirthankara!” replied the astrologers.

On the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Chaitra, Queen Trishala gave birth to a baby-boy. He was named Vardhaman, as his father's kingdom and fame grew right from the time he was conceived. Prince Vardhaman was a beloved of his parents. He received all the necessary education and training. Due to his extraordinary intelligence and bravery, he was also called 'Mahavira'. Right from his childhood, Mahavira was extremely penitent. He preferred to be alone and showed little or no interest in the comforts and luxuries of the palace.

Mahavira was obedient to his parents and served them with great devotion. But as he grew up, he became more and more detached from his parents, friends and relatives. At the age of 30, he resolved to give up his worldly belongings. After distributing all his wealth to the poor, Mahavira went to the forest and started living like a monk. He wandered in search of true knowledge and attained enlightenment after 13 years of meditation.

In time, Vardhaman Mahavira went on to become the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of the Jain religion. At the age of 72 years, Mahavira attained Nirvana in 527 BC. His birthday is observed as Mahavira Jayanti and is celebrated with great zeal and devotion. There is a difference of opinion between the two sects of Jainism. The Digambar school of Jainism believes that Lord Mahavira was born in 615 BC. whereas the Svetambara School believes that he was born in 599 BC. Digambaras believe child was born while the Svetambaras believe that she had 14 dreams.

Mahavir Jayanti is largely spent in prayer, and there is no pomp and show associated with it. This is because both the sects of Jainism give supreme importance to renunciation, the liberation of man from the material world. The devotees visit the Jain temples and other sacred places. Some sacred places are the ancient shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat, the Parasnath temple in Kolkata, and the Jalmandir at Pawapuri in Bihar.

It is said that for a devout Jain all sins end at Pawapuri. Lord Mahavira breathed his last at this place. After his cremation, in order to take his ashes the devotees removed a large amount of soil from around the funeral pyre. Thus was created a water tank. Later, a marble temple, called the 'Jalmandir1, was built in the middle of the tank.

On the Mahavir Jayanti the other 23 Tirthankaras are also worshipped. The Jain devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to Lord Mahavira and his predecessors. However, a majority of the devotees prefer to spend most of their time in meditation. In some places, peaceful processions are taken out. Children stage dramas, enacting the important events of Mahavira's life. It is considered an auspicious day to start new business or get engaged in social activities.

Mahavira was an influential religious leader and social reformer. He rejected the caste system and ritualism, and was against idol worship. He taught people to live a life of extreme asceticism and practice non-violence. He lived a life of absolute truthfulness, honesty and chastity. Therefore, his birth anniversary gives us a message to attain self-perfection through 'tri-ratna' (three jewels) of Jainism - right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.