Universal Message of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 11

PART - I
ARTICLES AND TALKS
THE ETERNAL MESSAGE OF JAINA
WISDOM*
The stream of knowledge has been incessantly flowing in India since time immemorial and credit for this goes to the seers, saints and Tirthankaras, who have guided and inspired mankind to tread the sublime path of righteousness in order to realise the truth.
Jaina Tradition
Jainism is one of the oldest religious traditions of the world. Jaina scholars trace its origin back through almost limitless time. The present historians, however, say that it is at least 5000 years old. A great generation of Tirthankaras, Acāryas, saints and scholars belonged to this tradition. Lord Mahāvīra was the twenty-forth Tirthankara of the present era. He was not the founder of Jainism but he propounded this great religion. He realised his true self and attained omniscience by practising rigorous austerities and penances. A glimpse into his life shows that he was an embodiment of non-violence and compassion. Although Mahāvīra (599 B.C.- 527 B. C.) preached 2500 years
Chapter - I
*This paper was presented at 'Wisdom of India' seminar organised at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai on 17 January 2000.