ABC of Jainism

Author(s): S L Jain
Publisher: Maitree Samooh

Page 22

Bhagwan Mahavir was quite fearless in his childhood. Once Sangam Deva come in the form of a snake. He started playing with the snake fearlessly. Therefore he was also named as "Mahavir" children! One who provides assurance of protection to all and does not frighten anyone is called "Fearless" or "Audacious". One day Bhagwan Mahavir was filled with the feelings of renunciation. He refused to marry and left his palace because he wanted to acquire real happiness and wanted to show the path of purity & peace for all. He became a Digamber monk and left all the comforts of life, even cloths and all other objects of mundane pleasure. His renunciation was praised by all. Children! Those, who give up their all the comforts of life with strong spiritual inclination and with feelings to do good for all, are called "Great". Bhagwan Mahavir performed difficult penance as monk. He was very firm and steady in his penance. "Sthaanu Rudra" caused lot of calamity to disturb him but he remained stable in his meditation. Therefore one of hes names was "Ativir". Children! Not to deviate form one's real path and to forebear all difficulties in the path of purity & peace is the bravery. Bhagwan Mahavir continued his penance for twelve years. Like the purification of gold with the help of fire his soul became pure under the fire of meditational penance. He attained complete knowledge. He became omniscient. His soul became pure. He was called Arihant Bhagwan. Every body benefited form his preaching. In his religious assembly, all forms of living beings used to assemble. All human beings came. Celestials came. Dogs & cats used to sit in his religious assembly peacefully forgetting their intrinsic enmity. All living beings were able to understand the preaching of Bhagwan Mahavir. Children! Everyone can understand the language of love and compassion. Bhagwan Mahavir preached all for thirty years at different places. He attained salvation on the morning of Kartik Krishna 15th (Amavasya ) at Pawapur. The occasion was celebrated as the Dipavali festival. In the morning, we Jains warship Bhagwan Mahavir with sweets (Nirvan Ladu ) and light lamps. Children! We should get inspiration from the life sketch of Bhagwan Mahavir and try to improve our own lives. Exercise : 1. Tell the birth name of Bhagwan Mahavir. 2. Remember the name of His parents. 3. Tell the five names of Bhagwan Mahavir. 4. Bhagwan Mahavir was very intelligent. Narrate the connected story of his life. 5. Narrate different events resulting in his five different names. 6. From which place did Bhagwan Mahavir attain salvation? 7. How the day of his salvation celebrated by Jains?