Bhagavana Mahavira

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

Page 40

Bhagawan Mahavir )
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the worthy preceptors, philosophers and religion, and perform the six necessary duties in man's daily life.*
All the Tirthankaras are the givers of light to this world. In the beginning they belonged to the category of ordinary souls. They have passed through a long succession of births and deaths before attaining to this position. The history of their previous lives can be found in Jain Scriptures.
All the Tirthankaras that have made their appearance on the face of this earth up till now, or are likely to appear in future, have been born or will be born in almost great, illustrious and noble royal families. The twentieth and the twenty-second Tirthankaras of this Avasarpini were born in the Harivamsha (dynasty named after Hari ), and the rest twenty-two in the ‘Ikshvaku-Vamsha' (dynasty named after king Ikshvaku ).
The mother sees fourteen dreams before she conceives a Tirthankara. These dreams will be described later on. The boyhood of every Tirthankara passes in an atmosphere of love and affection. Those of the Tirthankaras, who are still to reap the fruit of their past Karmans, marry in their youth; while others whose Bhog-karman's or effect of Karman incurred in the pre-natal life, are completely annihilated, never unite themselves in a marriage bond. The Tirthankaras, who lead a married life, do not entangle
* Sıx Avasyakas are the essential duties : 1) Samayika or Equanimity towards all; 2) Chaturvinshati-stava, Offering prayers to twenty four Tirthankaras; 3) Vandana, Offering salutation to five Dignitaries or Parameshthi; 4). Pratikramana, Confession of past errors and sins; 5) Pratyakhyana, Avoiding forth coming faults; and 6) Kayotsarga, Giving up attachment for the body.