Mahavir Swami is the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He is also known as Vardhamana Veer, Uveer or Sammatti. Lord Mahavir Swami Ji was born in the Kshatriyakundagrama Vaishali district of Bihar, India approximately 2.5 billion years in the 6th Century BC. He renounced his home at the age of thirty.
He did not hold the accession, even for a long man. The era he was born in was the era of violence, animal sacrifice, caste system, which grew in the era. Here are Interesting facts about Lord Mahavir Swami Ji.
Also Read: What is Hajj in Islam | Difference between Hajj & Umrah
Jainism Religion In Ancient World
Jainism is also known as Jain Dharma. It is an ancient Indian religion. It is a method of acquiring perfect knowledge and perfect joy. Perfect knowledge is about self and the universe, while perfect joy is extrasensory means sensory means are inadequate to acquire them.
As per Jainism, a Tirthankara is a savior and spiritual teacher of the dharma showing a righteous path. The word Tirthankara signifies the founder of a tirtha, which is a fordable passage across the sea of interminable births and deaths, the samsara.
Also Read: List of 56 Bhog Offered For Lord Krishna | 56 Bhog List for Lord Krishna
A Tirthankara is the one who conquers the samsara or the cycle of death and birth. Jainism hypothesizes that time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. The wheel is divided into two halves.
The ascending half cycle is called Utsarpiṇī and the descending half cycle is called Avasarpiṇī. 24 Tirthankara are born in each half of this cycle.
In Jain tradition, the Tirthankaras were royal in their final lives. Their clan and families are also among those recorded in legendary stories.
Also Read: All you need to know about Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Bhasma Aarti | Book Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Aarti Online
24th Tirthankara of Jainism
Mahavir Swami, 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in the royal Kshatriya family to King Siddhartha of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and Queen Trishala of the Licchavi Dynasty.
It is believed that Mahavir’s birthday is on the thirteenth day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra in the Vira Nirvana Samvat calendar era.
He was born in a Kshatriyakundagrama place near Vaishali in Indo Gangetic Planes, though the exact location in today’s Bihar is unknown.
Jain texts state that after Mahavira was born, the god Indra came from the heavens along with 56 diplomacies, anointed him, and performed his abhisheka (consecration) on Mount Meru, which is illustrated in several Jain temples.
Also Read: How to Become a Naga Sadhu | Naga Sadhu in Kumbh Mela | Where Does Naga Sadhu Lives
Early Life of Mahavir Swami
Mahavir Swami, a Tirthankara of Jainism, grew up as a prince. As per the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara Acharanga Sutra, his parents were devotees of Parshvanatha. Jain traditions have different views on the marriage of Mahavir.
The Digambara tradition believes that his parents wanted him to marry Yashoda, but he refused to marry while the Śvētāmbara tradition believes that he was married to Yashoda at a young age and had one daughter Priyadarshana who was also called Anojja.
As per the Jain text of Aupapatika Sutra, Mahavir had a great height of 6 feet however he was the shortest of all 24 Tirthankara.
Also Read: Shiva Hindu God of Creation, Destruction, and Arts | 108 Names of Lord Shiva | 100+ Powerful Lord Shiva Quotes
Renunciation of Mahavir Swami: Tirthankara of Jainism
At age thirty, Mahavira abandoned royal life, his home, and his family to live an ascetic life in the pursuit of spiritual awakening. He undertook severe fast and bodily mortifications, meditated under the Ashoka tree, and discarded his clothes. The Acharanga Sutra has a graphic description of his hardships and self-mortification.
According to the Kalpa Sūtra, Mahavira spent the first forty-two monsoons of his life in Astikagrama, Champapuri, Prstichampa, Vaishali, Vanijagrama, Nalanda, Mithila, Bhadrika, Alabhika, Panitabhumi, Shravasti, and Pawapuri.
He is said to have lived in Rajagriha during the rainy season of the forty-first year of his ascetic life, which is traditionally dated to 491 BCE.
Omniscience of Mahavir Swami
As per the traditional texts, Mahavira achieved Kevala Jnana, or the state of omniscience or infinite knowledge under a Sāla tree on the bank of the River Rijubalika near Jrimbhikagrama at age 43, after twelve years of rigorous penance.
Jain Uttar-purāņa and Harivamśa-purāņa texts provide the details of the whole process of attainment of omniscience.
Acharanga Sutra describes Mahavira as all-seeing. Sutrakritanga expands it to all-knowing and describes his other qualities.
Jains believe that Mahavira had a most auspicious body or paramaudārika śarīra. He was free from eighteen imperfections when he attained omniscience.
As per Śvētāmbara tradition, he traveled throughout India to teach his philosophy for thirty years after attaining omniscience.
However, as per the Digambara tradition, he remained in his Samavasarana and delivered sermons to his followers.
Disciples of Mahavir Swami: Tirthankara of Jainism
Mahavir’s first disciples were eleven Brahmins as Mahavira’s first disciples. These Brahmins were traditionally known as the eleven Ganadharas.
Indrabhuti Gautama is said to be their leader. The others included Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Akampita, Arya Vyakta, Sudharman, Manditaputra, Mauryaputra, Acalabhraataa, Metraya, and Prabhasa.
The Ganadharas are believed to have remembered and to have verbally transmitted Mahavira’s teachings after his death. His teachings became known as Gani-Pidaga or the Jain Agamas.
Also Read: Draupadi in Mahabharata Wife of Pandavas King of Hastinapur & Indraprastha
According to Kalpa Sutra, Mahavira had 14,000 sadhus (male ascetic devotees), 36,000 sadhvis (female ascetics), 159,000 sravakas (male lay followers), and 318,000 sravikas (female lay followers).
Jain tradition mentions Srenika and Kunika of the Haryanka dynasty (popularly known as Bimbisara and Ajatashatru) and Chetaka of Videha as his royal followers. Mahavira started his mendicants with the mahavratas (Five Vows).
He delivered fifty-five pravachana (recitations) and a set of lectures (Uttaraadhyayana-sutra). Chandana is believed to be the leader of the female monastic order.
Also Read: Mahabharata and its Writer, Story, History, Evidence & Facts
Nirvana and Moksha of Mahavir Swami
According to Jain texts, Mahavira’s nirvana or death occurred in the town of Pawapuri which is in present-day Bihar. The night of his nirvana is celebrated in the same way as Hindus celebrate Diwali. His chief disciple, Gautama, is said to have attained omniscience the night Mahavira achieved nirvana.
Accounts of Mahavira’s nirvana vary among Jain texts, with some describing a simple nirvana and others recounting grandiose celebrations attended by gods and kings. According to the Jinasena’s Mahapurana, heavenly beings arrived to perform his funeral rites.
The Pravachanasara of Digambara tradition says that only the nails and hair of Tirthankara are left behind. Some texts say that Mahavira at 72 is described as delivering his final preaching over six days to a large group of people.
Also Read: Why did the Soviet Union Collapse | The Journey from Soviet Union Formation to Collapse
The crowd falls asleep only to find that he has disappeared after awakening. Jain Śvētāmbara tradition believes that Mahavira’s nirvana occurred in 527 BCE, while Jain Digambara tradition says that Mahavir got nirvana in 468 BCE.
However, both traditions believe that his jiva or soul is abiding in Siddhashila the home of liberated souls.
The place where he attained nirvana is the place where Mahavira Jal Mandir stands. Artworks in Jain temples and texts depict his final liberation and cremation, sometimes shown symbolically as a small pyre of sandalwood and a piece of burning camphor.
Teachings of Lord Mahavir Swami
The Jain follows five vratas or vows, which every ascetic and householder must observe. These principles were preached by Mahavira. The principles are.
1. Satya (Truthfulness)
Applies to oneself and others.
2. Ahimsa (Non – Violence or Non – Injury)
Mahavira taught that every living being has sanctity and dignity. Everyone should respect the same. Ahimsa, Jainism’s first and most important vow, applies to actions, speech, and thought.
3. Asteya (Non – Stealing)
Not “taking anything that has not been given”
4. Aparigraha (Non – Attachment)
For lay people, an attitude of non-attachment to property or worldly possessions; for mendicants, not owning anything.
5. Brahmacharya (Chastity)
Abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures for monks, and faithfulness to one’s partner for householders.
Also Read: 25 Interesting Facts About Mahabharata | Ancient Sanskrit epic by Vyasa
Facts about Lord Mahavir Swami Ji: FAQ
Where was Mahavir swami born?
Lord Mahavir Swami Ji was born in the Kshatriyakundagrama Vaishali district of Bihar.
Who is mahavir swami
Mahavir Swami is the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Born in the royal Kshatriya family to King Siddhartha of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and Queen Trishala of the Licchavi Dynasty.
Mahavir Swami, a Tirthankara of Jainism, grew up as a prince. As per the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara Acharanga Sutra, his parents were devotees of Parshvanatha.
What was the early name of Mahavir swami
Vardhamana
Mahavir Swami the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism is also known as Vardhamana. Born in Kshatriyakundagrama Vaishali district of Bihar, India approximately 2.5 billion years in the 6th Century BC.
Who was the first disciple of swami Mahavir
Indrabhuti Gautama
Indrabhuti Gautama is believed to be the first disciple of swami mahavir. Rest are Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Akampita, Arya Vyakta, Sudharman, Manditaputra, Mauryaputra, Acalabhraataa, Metraya and prabhasa. A total of 11 Brahmins are Mahavira’s first disciples.
What are the five vows of Mahavir swami
1. Satya (Truthfulness)
2. Ahimsa (Non – Violence or Non – Injury)
3. Asteya (Non – Stealing)
4. Aparigraha (Non – Attachment)
5. Brahmacharya (Chastity)
When is Mahavir Jayanti in 2024
Sun, 21 Apr, 2024
In 2024, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on the 21st of April, Sunday.
Read More:
- Top 10 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand
- Top 7 Healthiest Cooking Oil for You to Cook With | Does Cooking Oil Expire | Best Cooking Oil For Health
- Story of Sony PlayStation Gaming Console with Sleek Design & Massive Upgrade | Does Sony Own Playstation
- What is Vande Bharat Mission | India Vande Bharat Evacuation Mission
- Covid-19 Vaccine Registration Online | How to get Covid 19 Vaccine Certificate Online
About Author
