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PREFACE
Scholars of oriental history are well conversant with the fact that in the trinity of religions (Viz., Vedic, Buddhist and Jainism) Jain religion has been enjoying a very prominent position since pristine past. About 2572 years ago when benja ghted persons were engrossed in the massacre of innumerable mute and innocent animals in the noble name of religion and culture, King Siddhartha and Queen Priyadarshini-Trishala were blessed with a glorious chid in Kundalpur (Bihar). The Divine child was called Mahavira alias Vardhmana. The child was gifted with superb spiritual attainments. He being an introvert was always engrossed in deep and serene thinking and trying to solve the puzzle of the world and the miseries of its inhabitants.
When Prince Mahavira was 30 years old be once for all diverted his serious attention from the attachment of royal splendour and alluring objects of the world to his soultowards the kingdom of heaven, hidden within. He was leading the life of a sincere celibate. He embraced the holy order of a nude Jain monk. After 12 years of hard penances, supreme austerities and unperturbed meditations He became Omniseient and experienced the bliss of beatitude. At the age of 72 Lord Mahavira got final emancipation, viz Parinirvana, from the lake of Pavapuri near Patna (Bihar). The celebrations during the Diwali, the Festival of Lights are performed to commemorate Lord's liberation, since Tirthankara Mahavira attained Parinirvana 2500 years ago. Then a Mahavira Nirvana era started reminding tho world of the most auspicious event of Nirvana.
Lord Mabavira was the senior contemporary of Lord Buddha. He occupies an important place in the developmept of Indian culture and civilization. In the long list of defied
