Mahavira his Times and his Philosophy of Life

Author(s): Harilal Jain, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

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and limitations; and he attained pure and perfect knowledge which transcended the limits of space and time: he became a kevalin, a sarvajña.
Śrenika Bimbasara was his contemporary and was ruling at Rajagṛha: Mahāvīra delivered his first sermon on the hill Vipul-acala in the vicinity of Rajagṛha. For full thirty years he visited different parts of the country; and it was his vihāra, or religious tour, as well as that of Buddha, that gave Magadhan territory the name of Bihar.
Mahāvira's parents belonged to the school of Pārsva; during his vihara, Mahāvira explained to his society various problems of life and their solutions. He laid maximum stress on the sanctity and dignity of the spirit, and his preachings were meant for one and all who conformed to the religious discipline outlined by him.
The organisation of his followers, including princes as well as poor peasants. conformed to the fourfold pattern consisting of monks (muni), nuns (āryikā), householders (śrāvaka) and houseladies (srāvikā); this nomenclature continues in Jainism even to this day.
The influence of the great principles preached by Mahāvīra is seen in India even outside Jainism. He was a Tirthakara, who prepared a ford for the suffering humanity to achieve peace here and bliss elsewhere. In view of the all-embracing character of Mahāvīra's principles, Samantabhadra, an illustrious ascetic philosopher, as early as c. 2nd century A.D., called the tirtha of Mahavira by the name sarvodaya, which term is so commonly used nowadays after Gandhiji. At the age of 72, Mahāvīra attained nirvāṇa at Pāvā in 527 B.C.; and this day is celebrated with lights all over India as the Divāli day.
A large amount of literature, both ancient and modern, is available on the life and activities of Mahāvīra; and many myths, miracles and legends have grown about his personality, as usual with all religious dignitaries. Scientific and historical scrutiny unaffected by sectarian prejudice and
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