Bhagavana Mahavira

Author(s): Chauthmal Maharaj
Publisher: Jainoday Pustak Prakashan Samiti Ratlam

Page 15

( 10 ) Then follows the story of the birth of Lord Mahavir and his times. The religious condition of his days which necessitated his coming into this world deserves careful study. 3000 years after Lord Krishna the condition of India had become very deplorable. The real religion had disappear. ed from the world, Animal sacrifices, offering of victims and blind following of rituals were alone in vogue. There was no discussion even of true knowledge. Cunning falsehood and empty outward show help the field, Worldly pleasure had reached its zenith Sinful actions were the order of the day. Himsa held universal sway. Nodody cared for Ahimsa. Not à trace was left of self control, sympathy, religion, pure actions etc. Society had plunged deep into misery and cries of sorrow ront the air. This condition was beyond the pile of ordinary reform. It was of urgent necessity that some great soul should take birth to salvage suffering humanity. In such times Lord Mahavir came into this world according to the accepted ancient belief.
It is now 2532 years to the birth of Lord Mahavir ( in about 599 B. C.) Lord Buddha also was born at about the same time but Mahavir was somewhat older than him. Both were contemporaries. Working sphere of both was very extensive. Both were unrivalled, great, selfsacrificing benefactors of humanity. Half of Asia to-day follows the Buddhist flag but the followers of Mahavir though limited in number are the greatest believers in Ahimsa. We can not say this of the Buddhists. Lord Mahavir was born as stated above, in 599 B. C. at Kundagram, the capital of the kings of Lichchavi, dynasty. His father was named Siddhartha and his mother Trishala. The day of his birth was Tuesday the thirteenth of the bright half of chaita. His brother was