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Jineshwar Mahavir Swami
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fully and truly the difference between Jiv and Ajiv, soul and matter, was real Daya possible. Lord Mahavir declared that he had friendship with all and animosity with none, and gave the message of peace and love to the universe: "To love all and hate none."
His teachings are known as Jainism. “Jain" means, in a broad and general sense, the conqueror over self, over the senses. One who is beyond attachment and hatred is a Jain. He preached to all conquest over the internal enemies of the soul instead of external, visible enemies.
Moving in different countries, he visited the city of Rajgrihicapital of Magadh. There he preached his doctrines to and convinced King Shrenik, well known in history as King Bimbisar, and his Queen Chelna. The city to Rajgrihi became the centre and shelter of Jain culture, civilization, literature and religion and King Shrenik became a renowned follower of Lord Mahavir, who at that time by his preaching brought to the right path many other kings, merchants, scholars and others. Thus, after attaining omniscience. Lord Mahavir for full 30 years preached Jainism, the message of Non-violence.
Such is the noble and glorious life and the precious preaching of the great saint Mahavir Swami, the bravest of the brave, a great and powerful soul. Laying aside the splendour of a kingdom, he chose asceticism and preached worldly detachment and universal brotherhood. His teachings are now embodied in 32 sutras and he has at present a following of about 2,000,000 people in all parts of the world.
That great Muni, great performer of penances, great observer of renunciation, who glorified the teachings of Non-violence and Truth and established the path of restraint, he whose divine qualities brightened the universe. Lord Mahavir, proved the superb strength of his soul by his ceaseless efforts towards his goal. After completing his life mission, and in the midst of a fast after preaching a public sermon and final renunciation, he breathed his last at Pavapuri on the night of Diwali (Deepavali), at the age of 72. Thus, 470 years before the Vikram year, he attained his welldeserved and long craved Moksha, Liberation, reaching eternal peace and happiness by the royal road shown to us by him.
