________________
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
39
Some Rituals and Festivals
Lord Rishabdev did not get pure food for thirteen months and ten days. He was bearing with hunger courageously. This austerity was a natural opportunity for the destruction of Karma. Realizing this, he was nwardly feeling happy,
Shreyansukumar, according to a dream he had seen on Vaisak Sukla Dwithiya (the second day of the first fortnight of Vaishak) enabled Lord Rishabdev to break his fast by giving him sugar-cane juice. That day on which a year's fasting was broken has been called Akshaya Thrithiya. Varshithap combines fortitude and a feeling of equality. On account of fasting, the body becomes weak but because of the spiritual attainments, a divine radiance makes the face bright and resplendent.
Lord Mahavir delivered his final sermon taking 48 hours. (This event took place 2500 years ago). The Lord preached continuously for sixteen praharas. That magnificent sermon is available even today under the title of Uttaradhyayana Sutra with its 36 adhyayanas sections).
For Private And Personal Use Only
