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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kabatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kallassagarsun yarmandir
He crossed the river of birth and death,
and left a path for others to follow.
PURE MEDITATION
O ONE BUFORE not even the twenty-three great Tirthankaras who had crossed over before Mahavira, had ever endured such voluntary hardships as he did.
For twelve and a half years he followed his severe austerities. During that time he ate on average only once every twelve days. On one occasion he fasted for six months,
without even drinking water and on another occasion he fasted for five months and twenty-five days. He was subjected to many severe tests of his determination and patience, but not once did he flinch from his unwavering resolution to achieve complete spiritual realization. To his eves, who ever he met was neither friend nor enemy, for he viewed all equally, even the animals.
In this way he reached the point where all his past karma was completely eradicated, and he was freed at last from all taints of illusion. So he became a Tirthankara. "who has crossed the river of birth and death, and who leaves a path for others to follow."
It was said of him. "Tirthankara Mahavira was as deep as the ocean, as cool as the moon, as dazzling as the sun, as brilliant as gold, as tolerant as the earth, as bright as fire and as firmas Mount Sumeru, around which revolves the universe."
After completing his extreme path, Mahavira entered profound and unblemished peace. Standing alone in a mountain valley, far from human habitation, he absorbed himself in the purest stage of meditation, called stukta. He remained still and unmoving, while from his heart shone an aura of white light, the light of infinite wisdom. It lit up the surrounding valley, symbolizing his complete purity and freedom from all karma
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