Bhagavana Mahavira

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

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named Nandivardhan, his sister Sudarshana and his wife Yashoda. He had a daughter born to him named Priyadarshana. He gave his worldy life at the age of 30. He practised strictest penance for twelve and half years which ended in his attaining enlightenment under a sal tree on the north bank of the river Rijuvalika near the village Grimbhak on the night of the tenth. Then he travelled in order to preach his religion and left this mortal body on the night of the Amavas (15th of the dark half) of Kartik at the age of 72. His philosophical discussion with Indrabhuti and other ten Pundits is very important.
Reading of this discussion clearly solves such philosophical riddles as are noted below. What is soul ? Karma is or not ? What is the connection between soul and body? Are there five elements or not? Is world a dream? Has the soul former birth ? Does the supernatural exist? Is hell real? Can the soul get freedom from bondage, old age life and death? Are the conceptions of good and evil correct ? Is deliverance possible? What is the connection between the soul and the world?
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It is of utmost importance for a man, whatsoever religion he may follow, to know answers to these things. It is the highest glory of philosophy to answer these. The more clear and satisfactory the answer the greater is that religion which tries to answer them. It is needless to say that Jainism has answered them from the high plane of philosophy. It is very useful to read the 2nd chapter from the 2nd volume in this connection.
The life of Lord Mahavir occupies 513 pages up to the end of the ninth Chapter of the 2nd volume. The tenth is an exposition of the philosophy of the teachings of Mahavir.