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MEMORIAL TO LORD MAHAVIR'S 1ST SERMON AT MT.VIPULACHAL, BIHAR
M.K.Dharmaraja
The Himachal Times, New Delhi, India
An aura of spirituality pervades the pinnacles straddling the skyline above the hoary piligrim centre of Rajgir in Bihar, India. The five modestly rising hill-tops form a row of quintet summits, each with an identity of its own. Fables and legends surround these peaks with names evocative of a glorius past-Vipulachal, Vaibhargiri, Rishigiri, Balahak Panduk. Historically, Jain Scriptures contain elaborate references to the five peaks of which Vipulachal claims exceptional distinction.
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It was on the Vipulachal summit that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, delivered his first sermon on attaining omniscience. The sermon preached by the Tirthankar emanated in divine sound Divya Dhvani that could enlighten all living beings.
the supreme bliss
The essence of the message was Sarvodaya of all. The Tirthankar's audience, the Samavasarana place of resort for all-humans and celestial beings as birds and beasts-the lowliest of the living. Scriptured chronicles speak of the Assemblies held by Mahavira at Mount Vipulachal.
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An architectural marvel atop Vipulachal now marks the historic past when the last of the Tirthankaras (in the present cosmic time-cycle) delivered his first sermon in the year 557 B.C. Mahavira's life and message have had a deep impression, in particular, on Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain, the renowned industrialist and philanthropist of India. Mr Jain had been inspired by the illuminating trail blazed by the Tirthankar. Mahavira's spiritual pursuits an epitome of quest and conquest-, had him set out on the mendicant's path renouncing princely comforts at 30.
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The idea of commemorating the event of Mahavira's first sermon from Mt. Vipulachal had been taken up by the Jain community of India from the early forties. Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain was associated with the plan from the very outset. It was during the celebrations marking 2500th Nirvan anniversary of Lord Mahavira that a decision was taken to errect a suitable monument. Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain single handedly took the entire responsibility of constructing the monument on Mt. Vipulachal. He took up the task with great devotion and a final blue print was approved. Shortly after the construction commenced, Sahu Shanti Prasad passed away. India lost its one of the great industrialists and a philantropist and the Jain community all over the world lost its dynamic and magnificent leader. Immediately, Sahu Asok Kumar Jain, the son of Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain, entrusted the task of executing the project to Nemichand Jain, honorary secretary of Sahu Jain Trust. With the courageous vision of Sahu Asok Kumar Jain and the dexterity of Nemichand Jain
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