Jain Journal 1974 07

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

Page 15

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doctrine gives an indication of what this urge was and in fact in other respects also it will be correct to say of him that the doctrine is the Man. He seems to have had a spiritual experience about this time. In most cases such an experience is itself preceded by great mental commotion but no such event has been recorded in his case. Generally such experiences take a concrete form affording a final solution of the problems which may have agitated the individual's mind. In Mahavira's case, however, the experience (Samyag Darśana) gave him only a general outline of the Truth, that is to say it convinced him of the existence of a source of joy and power within himself altogether independent of the senses.
JAIN JOURNAL
It was to precipitate this experience in an abiding form and fill up full details in the picture of Truth that is to say to acquire Kevala Jñāna that he spent 12 years of his life. He did not declare his mission before he was 42 years of age. These 12 years he spent in working out the Doctrine.
As spiritual experiences had been claimed by others also, Mahavira laid down some tests to distinguish the genuine from the spurious experience (Mithya Darśana). These are known as the 8 Angas or attributes of Samyag Darsana. He also made a survey of sensorial experience and laid down its limits and the validity of knowledge based on it. In this way he worked out his theory of Knowledge and devised a special system of Logic. Among great religious thinkers Mahavira is probably the only one who made a serious study of the phenomenal world also, although it had eventually to be dropped out in the progress of the soul's quest.
There are three incidents which may be mentioned here as of great importance in his life. The first indicates Mahavira's attitude in social matters and the others his view of his own doctrine. The first one occured when Mahavira entered a certain town to get his meal as he could not according to the rules of his order go to anyone's place by invitation or have food brought to him. He had to enter the town (Kusinagar) and accept food which any householder might be able to spare out of what he had prepared for himself. People of all ranks and grades stood at their doors inviting the saint to accept a meal from them. Among them were rich as well as learned men. He passed them all and stood before the cell of a slave girl belonging to one of the rich men of the place. Being a slave girl, she was not recognised as belonging to any caste. She was kept in a separate house and was not allowed to touch any metal utensils. Her meagre ration of rice was sent to her