________________
310
Lord Mahavira One of the revolutionary contributions of Mahâvîra was to change the Hindu recomrnendation that monkhood should not commence before the latter part of one's life. He introduced the idea thai there is no particular time for worldly renunciation, with gradual transformation advocated for those who are not ready for total renunciation at an early age.
One of the outstanding features of Mahâvîra was that he was the perfect living image of compassion towards all forms of life. An example quoted is of a cobra called Chandkosia, which had been withstanding all who had tried to cross its path. One day, the cobra bit Mahâvîra, but such was his knowledge that he could see, through the cobra's past lives, how it had developed such a nature and he had great compassion for it. Such was his compassion, rather like a mother for her child, that it was as though milk flowed through the wound and the injury became secondary to the concern that Mahâvîra had for the cobra's well-being.
Ultimately, Gosâla turned against Mahâvîra and challenging Mahâvîra, he tried to intimidate him with a curse, saying that he would die of a fever within six months. Mahâvîra did become ill but eventually recovered. The death of Gosâla shortly afterwards gave the impression that the curse had returned to its source. However, Mahâvîra himself was always against magical or Yogic power.
Mahâuîra continued to teach and practise the three jewels up to the time of his holy death. Various fundamental teachings and practices, with only minor variations, are still prevalent among Jains. In particular, all Jains celebrate the festival of lights (Diwali) because on Diwali's day Mahâvîra achieved Moksa, whereas on the same day his main disciple Gautama attained the omniscience state.
