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Svayambhūstotra
concentration, destroyed the four inimical varieties of karmas, and attained the all-embracing, supreme and standalone knowledge – Omniscience (kevalajñāna). There is absolutely no need of the other four kinds of knowledge as the soul attains omniscience. Lord Mahāvīra became an Arhat, the true guide to put us on the right path and worthy to be venerated and worshipped by the lords of the world.
The World Teacher or 'Jina', was free from eighteen imperfections: (re)birth, old-age, thirst, hunger, astonishment, displeasure, regret, sickness, grief, pride, delusion, fear, sleep, anxiety, perspiration, attachment, aversion and death.
He was endowed with four infinitudes (ananta catuṣṭaya):
1. anantajñāna - infinite knowledge;
2. ananta darśana - infinite perception;
3. ananta sukha - infinite bliss; and
4. ananta virya-infinite energy.
The Arhat was possessed of forty-six distinctive attributes including eight divine splendours. A heavenly Pavilion (samavasarana) was erected by the devas for the Discourse Divine of the Lord.
The time period of Lord's renunciation (samyamakāla) was 42 years out of which He spent 30 years as Omniscient.
Lord Mahāvīra lived for 72 years and attained liberation (nirvāṇa) from Pāvāpurī during the last phase of the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Kārtika – kārtika kṛṣṇa caturdaśi*. The released pure soul of the Lord darted up to the summit of the universe to remain there for eternity with eight supreme qualities:
1. kṣayika-samyaktua - infinite faith or belief in the tattvas or essential principles of reality. It is manifested on the
*According to Acārya Sakalakīrti's "Śrī Mahāvīra Purāņa" Lord Mahāvīra attained nirvāṇa in early hours of the new moon day of the dark half of the month of Kartika - kārtika kṛṣṇa amavasyā.
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