Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 19

INTRODUCTION:
LESSONS LEARNED FROM BHAGWAAN MAHAVIR'S LIFE
Chyavana (conception), Janma (birth), Deeksha (initiation), Keval Ghyan (supreme knowledge), and Nirvana (liberation) are significant events, known as Five Kalyanak, in the lives of all Teerthankars. We are celebrating the 2600 Janma Kalyanka of Bhagwaan Mahavir this year. In many Jain temples, marble walls are carved with the life stories of Bhagwaan Mahavir. Mahavir's life has been praised through Stavans, Bhajans, Stuties, prayers, songs and other writings. Bhagwan Mahavir's qualities are described beautifully by Acharya Shree Hemchandracharya in the following verse (Stuti): Veerah sarva surasurendra mahito, Veeram buddha sansrita; Veernabhihat svakarma nishchyo, Veeray nityam namah; Veerateertha midam pravrattam tulam, Veerass ghoram tapo; Veere shree dhrati keerti kanti nishchya, shree Veer bhadram dish. Sanskrit grammar has been used very intelligently in the above verse to praise Bhagwan Mahavir. Swami means supreme or highest authority. The idol of Mahavir helps us concentrate (Dhayan), provides a media or an object(Dhyata) for concentration and help us achieve our final aim or goal (Dhayey). The sight of an idol of Mahavir inspires us objectively for bhaktiyog (combination of prayer and meditation). Mahavir discussed the caste of humanity, the religion of love and the dharma of truth during his talks.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Seeing an idol of Mahavir can make us feel pious. What can we achieve if we follow all of Mahavir's virtues? Mahavir's life was "Walk the talk". Whatever he said, he showed it in his conduct and behavior. Appropriate words, meaning, understanding with purpose can only simplify his life message. Mahavir added the fifth vow, celibacy (bhahamcharya) to the existing four vows from the Lord Parasnath's period. These five vows are nonviolence (in thinking, speech and physical act), non-stealing, truth, celibacy (controlling sex, sensual, pleasurable desires and wants) and nonaccumulation (learn to live simply with fewer worldly items). The following four elements Daan (donation), Sheel (purity of conduct or behavior, nature of a pure soul), Tapa (austere, constraints) and Bhavana (feeling) describe an important part of the Jain religion.
A) DAAN (DONATION)
Mahavir had no interest in materialistic world. Prior to his Deeksha, he distributed all his wealth to the common people. After the Deeksha, he was left only with a Devdushya cloth given by the King Indra. Mahavir was approached by a Brahmin, who was out of town at the time of the wealth distribution, Mahavir
Navin Shamji Dedhia, San Jose, CA
gave this Brahmin half of his cloth. The Brahmin was not satisfied with only half of the cloth and he followed Mahavir. One day the remaining Devdushaya cloth blew away from Mahavir's body with the wind and the Brahmin grabbed it. Mahavir did not turned around but continued walking. Parigraha Sangna (karma bond due to accumulation) can be erased with donation. Mahaviar followed the daan principle in order to stay away from Parigraha Sangna.
B) SHEEL (PURITY OF CONDUCT OR BEHAVIOR.) Sheel is connected with right knowledge, right perception, and right conduct. Mahavir preached the message of nonviolence, forgiveness, love, compassion. He did not use his knowledge for wrong-doings. He treated everyone equally, with love. There was no raag (attachment) for one and dwesh (hatred or aversion) for another in his life. He showered love to Goshala even after he threw Tejoleshya (burning energy) towards Mahavir. That event brought tears into Mahavir's eyes as he knew Goshala's destiny. Karuna (showing compassion) was his virtue. Purity of conduct or soul can be maintained by staying away from Maithun Sangna (karma bond due to sex act). How to live a pure life is a lesson to
be learned from Mahavir's life.
C) TAP (AUSTERE, CONSTRAINTS)
No one can do tap like Mahavir did. He endured all sufferings with nonviolence, truth, and non-stealing. Once a shepherd left his ox with Mahavir for a short time while Mahavir was in dhyan (meditation) state. The Ox went far away and the shepherd did not see the ox upon his returning. The shepherd nailed wooden sticks into Mahavir's ears and Mahavir suffered that pain without anger. This showed his great power of endurance with his patience. Once, Mahavir did not get any food for six months as no one was able to fulfill his wishes (abhigraha). Finally, Sati Chandanbala in Rajgrahi city met all his requirements and Mahavir received his desired food. Mahavir ate less than 8 % of the time during his 12 years in the Deeksha state. His tap was associated with an inner soul search process. He was in a state of constant meditation. Mahavir said "Atlu bas, parmathi khas, ane svama vas", which means be satisfied with who and what you are.
Don't look outside but look inside yourself or search your inner soul. Mahavir had full confidence inside and he did everything to attain supreme knowledge. Aahar Sangna (eating) can be avoided with Tap.
D)
BHAVNA (FEELINGS)
act. He
gave his Mahavir always had good feelings during any act cloth to the Brahmin with good bhavana towards him. He welcomed Indrabhuti Gautam and his brothers graciously when they
JAIN DIGEST SPRING 2001/17