1. In Jainism, Mahavir Jayanti, also known as
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, is the most
important religious holiday. It celebrates the
birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. On
the Gregorian calendar, the holiday occurs
either in March or April. He was born on the
thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chaitra.
The chronology accepted by all Jains
places Mahavir's birth in 599 BCE.
2. WHO WAS MAHAVIRA?
Mahavira (महावीर lit. Great Hero) (599 –
527 BCE) is the name most commonly
used to refer to the Indian sage
Vardhamana (Sanskrit: वर्धमान
"increasing") who established what are
today considered to be the central tenets
of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he
was the 24th and the last Tirthankara
3. As King Siddhartha's
son, he lived as a
prince. However, even
at that tender age he
exhibited a virtuous
nature. He started
engaging in
meditation and
immersed himself in
Self-contemplation.
5. After having left behind the pleasures of worldly
life, he went into the state of deep silence for a
period of about twelve and half years. During this
period, he learnt to control his feelings and
desires. For quite a long time, he went without
food. His search for truth and the real virtues of
life made people call him Mahavira .
He preached that truth and clean living were
the priorities in life, as was non-violence. Till
today, Jains do not even harm a fly or a
mosquito. True Jains tie a cloth around their
nose, so as not to breathe in or destroy
living organisms in the atmosphere.
6. Mahavira laid down five ways to
get rid of wheel of life:
1. Do not destroy life
2. Speak the truth
3. Be celibate
4. Own nothing
5. Accept nothing that is not
freely given
7. Mahatma Gandhi on Lord Mahavira
I say with conviction that
the doctrine for which the
name of Lord Mahavir is
glorified nowadays is the
doctrine of Ahimsa. If
anyone has practiced to the
fullest extent and has
propagated most the
doctrine of Ahimsa, it was
Lord Mahavira."
8. Dr. Rabindranath Tagore on
Mahavira
Mahavira proclaimed in
India that religion is a
reality and not a mere
social convention. It is
really true that salvation
can not be had by merely
observing external
ceremonies. Religion
cannot make any
difference between man
and man."
9. DEATH
He died in 527 BC at Parapuri in Bihar, and
left behind a legacy of thought and some
beautiful temples like the Dilwara in Mt.
Abu, Rajasthan and Shravanbelagola in
Karnataka. When he was being killed him,
he only prayed for them that “God please
forgive them”.
