Tirthankar Mahavir

SR No.: 020834
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 235
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 57 MB

Page 108

According to the religious books Mahavira's austerity was more severe than that of the other Jaina tirthankaras. 'Sutrakrutanga' says: Among oceans, the ocean named Svayambhuramana is the best, among juices the sugarcane-juice is the best, similarly among practitioners of austerity, the victorious Vardhamana is the best.
Attainment of Pure Knowledge
Mahavira's convictions were pure, his intentions were pure, his vision was pure and his nature was pure. He was free from all defilements. He had no obstructions, no bondage in this world or the other. He had attained the soul's pure and pristine state that was completely free from attachment and aversion. He had destroyed the passions of anger. pride, deceitfulness and greed. He had crossed the ocean of transmigratory existence. He made constant and conscious efforts to destroy karmas. His soul manifested all the meritorious qualities. He shone with infinite vision, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss and infinite energy. Thus twelve and a half years of his spiritual ascetic practice. went by.
The conditions during the twelve and a half years of Mahavira's ascetic life were very harsh. He lived in dense forests and faced difficult challenges. The display of such fearlessness and power of endurance was unheard of.
During the thirteenth year of his ascetic life, having travelled from the city of Madhyama-Pava, Mahavira reached the bank of the river Rujuvalika flowing on the outskirts of the village Jambhiya on the tenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Vaishakha.
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Kevalinana (Omniscience) under teak
tree on the bank of the Rujuvalika river