DATED: 17th April 2019
Being born in a Jain family is a privilege for people like me who are not strong believers of God. Over the years I have seen my family and others worshipping God, Mahavira. As of what I’ve heard from my grandmother in my childhood were stories, events, facts, myths, and summaries of our ancient history of Jainism. My family has always chosen the path which leads them to the right of being a Jain in proper terms. And here I was struggling to arrive at any type of conclusion of what the history holds in actual. Growing up, I learned about the beliefs and devotion of our people towards Jainism. To understand what Jainism actually is and to know about its concept, I made every possible step to obtain the knowledge required to draw a conclusion, in order to end the doubts inside me. Here is what I learned and heard about Jainism and our the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (ford-maker) who revived Jainism.
About Jainism
Jainism traditionally known as Jain Dharma is an ancient, non-theistic, Indian religion, founded by Jina Mahavira in the 5th century BCE. Followers of Jainism are called “Jains”, a word derived from the Sanskrit word Jina (victor) and suggesting the path of victory in crossing over life’s stream of rebirths through an ethical and spiritual life. Jains trace their history through a succession of 24 victorious saviors and teachers known as Tirthankaras, with the first being Rishabhanatha, who according to Jain tradition lived millions of years ago, and twenty-fourth being the Mahavira around 500 BCE. We believe that Jainism is an eternal dharma with the Tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the Jain cosmology.
History of MAHAVEER JAYANTI
It’s believed that Mahavira was born in a royal kshatriya family in present-day Bihar, India. He abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. He undertook severe fasts and bodily mortifications, meditated under the Ashoka tree, and discarded his clothes.
According to the Swetambara sect, the mother was believed to have seen 14 auspicious dreams. (According to Digambara sect it was 16 dreams). Astrologers interpreted these dreams and predicted that the child would be either an emperor or a Tirthankara. For over a decade, he was an ascetic, wandering about, begging for food, and wearing little. Then he found enlightenment, became a Tirthankara, and taught for 30 years before his death.
Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for 12 years, after which he is believed to have attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). After attaining Kevala Jnana, Mahavira taught that observance of the vows of ahimsa (non-violence), Satya(truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) & aparigraha (non-attachment) is necessary for spiritual liberation. He preached for 30 years and is believed by Jains to have attained moksha in the 6th century BC. Mahavira attained nirvana (death) at the age of 72, and his body was cremated.….Jainism and Mahavira https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavira
Why Mahaveer Jayanti Is celebrated?
LORD Mahavira was the last Tirthankara of Jainism. Mahavira Jayanti is one of the most known festivals of Jain. This is known by other religions all over the world. It is declared as a govt holiday in India.
Jain celebrate this occasion with very happiness and excitement. This was the day when Tirthnakar Mahavir was born. The celebration includes the following functions:
- Puja ritual in Jain temple.
- Chariot Festival (Rath Yatra) with Ahimsa rallies.
- Mahamastakabhishek.
- Arti Bhakti and performance/discussion related to the life of LORD Mahavira.
Mahaveer Jayanti is listest as the most important religious holiday in Jain calenders. Every year in late March or early April, The Jains celebrates the birth of Mahavira, a contemporary of the Buddha, and the 24th and the last Tirthankara (great sages). Mahaveer Jayanti is the festival marked with prayers and fasting.
Motive behind celebrating Mahaveer Jayanti
We celebrate Mahaveer Jayanti to embrace and recall his teaching of non-violence(ahimsa) and live-and-let-live( jio aur jine do) which is quite relevant in today’s time.
When Bhagwan Mahaveer was born, he already has 3 /5 kalyananak.
Ma trishla dreamt 14 auspicious dreams which more or less confirmed the birth of 24th Tirthankara. Bhagwan Mahaveer self-contemplated and all during his adolescence gained extreme control over his mind. His preaching gives us our basis for existence.
Wishing everyone Happy Mahaveer Jayanti in advance as it’s 16 days to go for the most auspicious day to arrive.
And at the end, I would like you all to follow the path of non-violence and non-stealing irrespective of your religion. Because it’s the path of humanity and kindness and this Is what our country needs.
SALONI'S PEN 
Great 👍
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Thank you 😊
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