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day, he took his seat upon a diamond throne, in the centre of magnificent hall which had been especially built for him on the borders of a lake. It was a dark night, but the hall was brilliantly illumined by the super-natural glow that issued forth from the gods who had come to listen to the illustrious Preacher. Mahāvīra preached all night. The saint knew that his end was drawing nigh, so he sat reverently with clasped hands and crossed knees (Samparyanka Āsana), and just as the morning dawned, he attained Nirvāna.
Mahävīra attained Nirvana in B.C. 527 at the age of 72. The Licchavis and the Mallas were the two whom the rise of Mahāvīra was an object of national pride, and accordingly, it is said in the Kalpa Sūtra, that when the great Soul departed, the 18 confederate kings of Kāśi and Košala, the nine Mallakis, and the nine Licchavís instituted an illumination saying, “Since the light of intelligence is gone, let us make an illumination of material matter', and this is thought to be the beginning of Diwāli among the Jainas. Contemporaneity with the Buddha
The evidence of Buddhist literature is sufficient to establish the contemporaneity of Mahāvīra and the Buddha. Although they had not personally met each other, there were occasions when they felt interested in knowing and discussing each other's views and position through intermediaries. Dīrghatapasvi and Satyaka among the Nirgrantha recluses, and Abhay, - the prince, Upāli - the banker, and Simha - the Licchavī general, among the Jaina laity loom large among those intermediaries. Teaching and its effects
Ahiṁsā or non-violent attitude is the very first principle of higher life that Mahāvīra inculcated to his disciples and followers. The visible effects of Ahirsā were sought to be proved by practical demonstration also. As a result, in his life-time,
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