Jain Journal 1973 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 10

JULY, 1973
His early life is wrapped up in mystery. The legends show that he was a man of heroic courage and perseverance. Even on the most dangerous occasions he never lost his presence of mind and ever-remained calm and composed. He is said to have taken great interest in outdoor games and martial exercises. He had a handsome and symmetrical body and a magnetic personality. As to his education, we know nothing. The Jaina śāstras assert that he had brought with him a highly (though not fully) developed spiritual nature from his previous births and, therefore, he was wiser than the wisest of the age. He was perhaps educated in his father's own palace. When he had attained puberty, he was married to a charming princess named Yasoda. He loved his wife dearly and passed many happy years of conjugal life. A girl was born to him who was married to his sister's son named Jamali. Mahavira was an obedient son. He was greatly attached to his parents and did
was in his power to please them. He had a thoughtful and contemplative disposition and was desirous of leading a contemplative life and thus developing his spiritual nature. Several times, he thought of renouncing the world ; but his devotion to his old parents stood in the way. It was after the death of his parents that he asked his elder brother's permission to renounce the world.
His elder brother would not allow him to do it. “Vira”, said he, "the deaths of our parents are still fresh in our memories ; your leaving us this time would simply render our bereavement more unbearable and painful.” Lord Mahavira, obeyed his brother's commands and lived two years more with him. He, then, with the consent of his elder brother renounced the world and entered upon his spiritual career.
Once it happened that a certain cowherd with his cows came to the place where he was standing all absorbed in his meditation and calling upon Mahavira to look after his cows which he left to graze there, himself went away to the village. Mahavira being engaged in his meditation, could not hear him and the cows went astray. The cowherd, when he came back from the village did not find the cows there, began to reproach Mahavira. Happily, some acquaintances of Lord Mahavira came there. They'rebuked the cowherd very much and informed him of the real character of the saint. In order to gain mastery over his passions, Mahavira, now and then, practised austerities. The Jaina writers relate several stories pertaining to this period of his life which beautifully symbolise the life-and-death struggle which he had to maintain against temptations, and the final victory which he achieved over his lower nature ; thus setting his nobler qualities free to act wherever he might find himself. He travelled from place to place and thus acquired vast experience of the moral and spiritual condition of the people.