Compendium of Jainism

Author(s): T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar

Page 55

THE TIRTHANKARAS AND LORD MAHAVIRA
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near Pāvānagar where they have built a temple. On hearing the first Sermon, Indrabhūti Gautama had his doubts dispelled and got new enlightenment. He and his followers including his brothers Agnibhūti and Vāyubhūti sought for initiation into the urder of Sramaņas and were so initiated. Indrabhūti Gautama became the first Gañadhara or (apostle) the interpreter of the sermons. This event was a great revolution in the spiritual thinking in Magadha.
Mahāvira started preaching the principles of Ahiṁsā and Truth, of self-control, self-reverance and self-ko wledge as leading man to salvation. He preached what he had realised during the period of twelve years when he had turned his vision inwards by penances and austerities. There used to be large gatherings of people, irrespective of caste and creed, to hear his sermons. According to Jaina traditions, such assemblies where he held his sermons are known as Samavasaraņa or a refuge of equality and equanimity, for all. He spent his rainy seasons in many places including Vaiśāli, Rājagęba, Nalandā, Mithilā and Srāvasti. Thousands of people who had thirst for spiritual knowledge used to gather at the feet of the Lord. He spent his rainy season at Pāvāpuri where on the 15th day of the dark fortnight he breathed his last when he was sitting absorbed in penance early before dawn. He annihilated his aghātiya Karmas and attained Nirvāṇa in the morning of the Amávāsyā day, in the month of Asvija in 527 B. C. freeing himself from the ties of birth, old-age and death. He became fully liberated and became a mukta. The Kings of Kāśi, Košala and Vaiśāli celebrated the event with illuminations on the first new moon day and said: “Since the light of intelligence is gone, let us. take an illumination of material matter". 10 Even to this day, the day is observed as a festival day, a day of illumination, Dipāvaliv
The religion preached by Lord Mahāvīra is not a new religion; it is the religion of the Jinas who had gone before him. and popularised the basic principles of the greatoess of Self. The two basic principles of the Universe are Jiva and Ajiva.