Witty World

Monday, August 29, 2011


MAHAVIR  JAYANTI




DESCRIPTION
The Jain community celebrates the birth anniversary of the 24th and the last Tirthankara, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism as Mahavir Jayanti every year. The birth anniversary of the 24th and the last Tirthankara of the Jains, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, is celebrated by the Jain community in August. Born a prince in 599 BC, Mahavir renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook austere penance until he achieved realisation. Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana, is the last one in the galaxy of Twenty-four Teerthankaras (Jain Prophets). Lord Mahavir has been acclaimed as one of the greatest prophets of peace and social reformation that Bharat has ever produced. He was born to a pious couple, Siddhartha (king of Kaundinyapura on the outskirts of Vaishalinear Patna in Bihar). and Priyakarani or popularly Trishala Devi – who were deeply permeated with the philosophy of Jainism preached by Parswanatha, the 23rd Teerthankara.

IMPORTANCE
Mahavir renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook austere penance until he achieved realisation. Even as a boy, Mahavira came to be associated with many episodes of absolute fearlessness which earned him the name `Mahavira’. He grew up as a prince, excelling in physical prowess and intellectual acumen. He renounced the pleasures and luxuries of the place, as also the power and prestige of kingship. Lord Mahavir spread the message of salvation to the world and had many followers. Mahavir preached non-violence, prohibited any kind of killing and taught his followers to seek salvation through penance and abstinence. They are also advised to donate money, clothes and grain to the poor. The Jains are divided into many sects of whom the main ones are Digambaras and Shvetambaras with the latter again divided into Deravasis and Sthanakvasis. Mahavira initiated a simple five-fold path for the householders: Ahimsa (Non-injury – physical or mental – to others), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (temperance in sexual pleasures) and Aparigraha (non-acquisition of property). Mahavira’s injunctions for the monks and nuns were however very exacting.



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