Lord Mahavira Vol 02

Author(s): S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute

Page 59

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Lord Mahavira According to the Jaina tradition, there is a series of 24 Tirthankaras in each half of the time-cycle; and there are countless cycles of time. We are living in a latter half of the present time cycle called Avasarpini and Mahâvîra is the 24th Tirthankara of this time-cycle. Mahâvîra's Teachings En We should take note of the contribution of Mahâvîra in the sphere of religion and philosophy. In his times, there were many leaders of different religious sects and most of them did not believe in the Kriyavada i.e. they did not hold that the next birth of the soul is determined by its actions in previous births. Some of them were preaching the theory that there is no soul at all. And some of them were not accepting the distinction between good and bad acts. Again some were of the opinion that nothing happens of the soul even if you try to cut it with the sword. Some were PINO propounding that one should not bother about one's liberation. Soul is destined to be liberated; so one should wait for that destined 6911! zorll 21.90 .. time when one is surely to attain liberation. Some were preaching
1996192 19610X0 91 that worldly enjoyment is the only end; they were asking all not to bother about the next world. Some were propagating that the to both 91
91990. highest aim is the attainment of heaven and not the liberation from worldly bondage; for the attainment of heaven one should aboutobio pob lead a religious life. And by religious life they meant performance of sacrifices which involved killing of animals; the sacrifices were
SYG OS 3200 11911 TAS meant for pleasing the gods.
Yahiao u arzo 1991
19h As a protest against 916 90
nce institutions of Parivrăjakas and monks who having left
109ccinatow 90 their family and home wete wandering in the search of soul. But
a R ivabri9 916 2110 210, y had no knowledge of the various types of living beings. So +R2911.c 2dio soi 1901.90 Y9 through ignorance they were killing living beings. There was biofareb96.
D o nyo rin, hierarchy in the society in which only the Brahmins had the right
591 to be a priest or a preacher. Only a Brahmin was authorized to
162 i 1:20an h perform the sacrifices on behalf of others. So with
alf of others. So without his medium 916 TO 100 900 10 20161116511 ZUOTTSV 18 the god's could not be approached directly by ers. Women LO! b96C002.90 to 1160* vor,OC 219/10 had no right to study the sacred lore. Only Sanskrit language was Laagriigi 911 90 of 1970au, 916 OIR TIJU to be used for praying to the gods. Downtxoden sug wun.11269IL pow.anpage 9t9h Vuja DOD 10 honourable place in the society. If we take into account tl background of Mahavira's times we can well und Lielog over Wand besil 991 316 voit Pidū jopisy
as had no
social
his