Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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Lord Mahavira and His Times -creeds which are known to have given rise to three hundred and sixtythree schools. One passage. gives the names of the existing classes, such as Ugras, Bhogas, Aikshvākus, Jñātris, Kauravas, and Lichchhavis.1
The intention of Uttarādhyayana, as rightly pointed out by H. JACOBI, is to instruct a young monk in his principal duties, to commend to him the ascetic life by precepts and examples, and to warn him against the dangers besetting his religious life.” It emphasises the duties of pupils towards their teachers, and their mutual relations. The fundamental principles of Jainism, such as Triratna, austerities, Karma, Navatattva, Leśyās, Samitis, and Guptis, have also been discussed. Instructions regarding the practice of righteousness by Mahāvīra have been given. Ten conditions for the realization of celibacy have been mentioned. Daśārņabhadra of Daśārna, Karakandu of Kalinga and Udāyana of Sauvīra are known to have become Jaina monks after giving up their kingdoms. Śreņika with his wives, servants and relatives appears to have adopted Jainism. Harikeshabala, born in the family of Chandālas, became a monk possessing the highest virtues. Vijayaghosha, who was engaged in performing Brahmanical sacrifice, was converted to Jainism by the monk Jayaghosha, who approached him for alms.
The Acharānga Sūtra has preserved a sort of religious ballad, an account of the years during which Mahāvira led a life of rigorous asceticism, thus preparing himself for the attainment of the highest spiritual knowledge. It contains important rules for Jaina monks and 'nuns. These rules are classificd in the Sutra under such general heads as begging, walking, modes of speech, entry into other's possessions, postures, places of study, and attending to the calls of naturc.
The Bhagavatī Sutra in its various dialogues gives a vivid picture of the life and work of Mahāvīra, his relationship to his disciples and to the kings and princes of the time, and contains an account of the Jaina dogmas on Samsāra and Karma 1. SBE, XLV, p. 339. 2. Ibid., p. xxxix.