Guidelines to Mahavir Darshan

SR No.: 006758
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satshrutseva Sadhna Kendra
Publisher: Satshrut Seva Sadhna Kendra
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 4 MB

Page 13

4 : PART I
GUIDELINES TO MAHAVIR-DARSHAN
Bhagwan Mahavir :
Bhagwan Mahavir, the great epostle of Ahimsa, was born on the 14th day of Chaitra in 599 B.C. in Kundagram, a suburb of Vaishali in Bihar. His father Siddhartha was the republican head of the Jnatrika clan and His mother, Trishala, was the daughter of the Lichchhavi Chief, Chetak.
From His very childhood He revealed in various ways signs of true greatness. His extremely compassionate heart combined with a highly spiritual bent of mind made Him live the life of a householder with reluctance and indifference. In the midst of luxury, He lived the detached life of a yogi. At last at the age of 30, He gave up all worldly possessions and left home to lead an ascetic life in search of the truth.
For 12 years He practised severe austerities in order to purge His soul of all impurities and to make Himself a perfect man. At the end of that period due to his long process of self-purification, He became an arhat and for the remaining 30 years of His life He journeyed on foot throughout the length and breadth of the country and with untiring energy showed to the humanity the path of liberation both by example and precept. At the age of 72 on 14th day of the dark fortnight of Kartika in 529 B. C., He attained Nirvana at Pavapuri in Bihar.
After Mahavir the Jain tradition was continued by a series of eminent thinkers and monks and received patronage from kings,
ealthy traders and pious families and thus contributed to the stability and continuity of the sublime tradition with the result that India can feel proud of the Jain contribution both to its civilisation and culture in matters of art, architect, literature and moral code. The Approach :
The perplexing questions for any scholar or aspirant are : (1) What is the relationship that exists between MAN and the
universe ? and (2) In the light of that relationship, what is the best mode of
living for MAN ?