Mahavira and his Philosophy of Life

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Vidya Samsthan

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meditated day and night, undisturbed and unperturded and at last under the Sāla tree on the banks of the river Rjukūlā outside the town, Jrmbhikā, he attained supreme knowledge known as Kevalajnana and became Arhat on Sunday the 26th April 557 B.C. at the age of 42 years. It will not be amiss to point out that while undergoing a strenuous course of discipline for a period of 12 years, he observed complete silence i.e Mauna, thus he was styled Mahā Mauni i.e. the great observer of silence. Besides, he exhibited least concern for sleep during the period of twelve years. After the attainment of omniscience (Kevalajñana), Mahāvira remained silent and did not deliver any sermon for sixty-six days. One day Mahāvira arrived at Vipulācala mountain outside the city of Rājagrha, the capital of Magadha. Here Samavasarana (religious assembly) was organised on Saturday the 1st July 557 B.C. Owing to the presence of a renowned Brahmin Scholar named Indrabhūti Gautama in the Samavasarana (who was regarded as having the capacity to record the truth revealed by Mahāvira), Mahavira delivered his Ist Sermon at the Vipulācala mountain on Saturday the 1st July 557 B.C.. This day is celebrated as the Virasāsana day. Indrabhūti Gautama was designated as the first Ganadhara (chief disciple) by Mahāvira. Gradually Mahāvira initiated more Gandharas into the ascetic order, so that the doctrine preached by him may be transmitted to the masses in an authentic manner in their own language which was Prakrta at that time. For full thirty years Mahāvira visited different parts of the country especially the important centres in Eastern and Northern India, and promulgated the doctrine of Ahimsă
Mahävira and his Philosophy of Life