Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Jyoti Prasad Jain
Publisher: Shuchita Publication Varanasi

Page 39

the dark fortnight of the Indian month of Kartika, in 527 B.C. he attained Nirvana at Paya
Like the foregoing twenty-three Tirthankaras, Mahavira was a master propagator of the Jaina creed and is credited with the reorganization of the Jaina order. At the same time he was one of those great teachers of mankind through whom the probl m of the perfection of man came to be recognized as the highest achievement for progressive humaniiy. All the rules of religious life, which he enjoined, were intended to be practical aids in the attainment of the perfection of the self. He did not preach to others what he had not practised himself. His was the path of patienc', forbearance, se f-denial, forgiveness, humanitarianism, compassion and consideration, in short, of sacrifice, love and kindness.
Mahavira, as his name indicates, was an embodiment of physical, moral and spiritual courage of the highest order, and the
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