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THE WORLD OF JAINISM
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at a place called Jrimbhakagrama. One afternoon Mahavira sat under the shade of Sala tree in the meadow of a field that belonged to a farmer by name Samga. He had fasted for two and a half days and had not touched a drop of water. As he sat in deep meditation, he attained Kevala Jnana i.e. the supreme knowledge. Soon after this he took the title Jina or the one who has conquered the Karma completely. Jainas call him Arhata, one who is fit for veneration, or Arihanta, one who is the destroyer of the enemies.
Mahavira began his career as a teacher by delivering his first sermon on the five vows. His message was, birth and caste were of no significance but Karma was everything and its destruction was essential for eternal bliss. Only through severe asceticism one could burn up Karma and become a Tirthankara. Unlike Mahavira, Buddha taught that desire is the cause of rebirth and he emphasised that self effort and mental discipline were more important than austerity.
Mahavira's first disciple was Gautama Indrabhuti. Sudharman is another of his great disciples. He taught his new way to the Kshatriya princes and noble men. His relations with other princely families must have given him a good support. Chetaka, king of Videha, Kunika, King og Anga, Satanika, king of Kausambi, Abhaya, son of Bimbisara, Srenika, king of Magadha were his patrons.
Main centres of Mahavira's activity were Rajagriha, Champa, Vaisali, Pava, Mithila and Sravasti. From the beginning of his career his lay supporters were rich merchants and bankers.
Mahavira was a greater organiser than Buddha though he did not possess the same personal charm as Buddha. It is no wonder that unlike Buddhism, Jainism continues to be an important religious sect in India because of the sound organisational structure Mahavira left behind. After attaining Keval Jnana he became the last Tirthankara and as a Tirthankara he assisted his followers to pass-accross the troubled ocean of life. He pointed out one of the four ways or Tirthasa monk, a nun, a committed layman or a committed lay woman.
Nirvana
Mahavira died in 527 B.C* at Pava or Pavapuri, a small village in Patna district. He was 72 years of age and had lived
There is a controversy regarding this date. According to Jaina monk Hemachandra, 468 B.C. appears to be a more probable date. According to the same testimony 478 B.C. is considered as more correct by scholars.
