Pearls of Jaina Wisdom

SR No.: 001668
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 368
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & Religion
File Size: 16 MB

Page 52

Life of Tirthankara Mahāvira
Inspiring Personality
Among all the great personalities of the world, the name of Lord Mahāvīra is remembered with great reverence. He was the twenty-fourth Tīrthankara of Jaina religion. He was not the founder of this ancient religion which prevailed in India thousands of years before Pārśva and Mahāvīra, the last two Tīrthankaras. Lord Rşabhadeva was the first Tīrthankara of Jainas. There are references to Rşabha in the Rgveda, Yajurveda and Bhāgavata Purāņa. Lord Pārsva, twenty-third Tirthankara lived and preached 250 years before Mahāvīra's advent.
The life of Lord Mahāvīra is very inspiring and thoughtprovoking. For the past 2500 years, millions of people have drawn inspiration from him and practised non-violence, vegetarianism and noble conduct. Even now there are at least one crore followers of Mahāvīra in India. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, was highly influenced by his preachings. He applied the concept of Ahiṁsā and Satyāgraha at the national level successfully and was also victorious in getting these two principles universal recognition. Sources of His Life
The three authentic sources which depict the life and mission of Lord Mahāvīra are 1. Ācārānga Sūtra, 2. Kalpa Sūtra and 3. Āvaśyaka-niryukti. Besides, Sūtrakrtānga Sūtra, Bhagavati Sūtra, Upāsakadaśānga and other Āgamas, Trişaștiśalākāpurusacaritra and other texts too highlight his life and teachings. Conditions prevalent at the birth of Mahāvira
India, the cradle of one of the ancient civilisations, witnessed, during this period, enormous religious activities and chaos in intellectual and social fields. The prevalence of numerous schools