Mahavir Jayanti
Children
dressed as rulers take part in procession on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti -
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Children
dressed as rulers take part in procession on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti -
See more at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/picture-gallery/today-in-pic-newly-renovated-kashmere-gate-isbt/2560-2.html#sthash.1RT0CNJp.dpuf
The Jain community celebrates
the birth anniversary of the 24th
and the last Tirthankara, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of
Jainism as Mahavir Jayanti every year. The birth anniversary of the 24th and
the last Tirthankara of the Jains, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, is
celebrated by the Jain community in March. Born a prince in 599 BC,
Mahavir renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook austere penance
until he achieved realization.
Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana, is the last one in the galaxy of Twenty-four Teerthankaras (Jain Prophets). Lord Mahavir has been acclaimed as one of the greatest prophets of peace and social reformation that Bharat has ever produced. He was born to a pious couple, Siddhartha (king of Kaundinyapura on the outskirts of Vaishali near Patna in Bihar). and Priyakarani or popularly Trishala Devi - who were deeply permeated with the philosophy of Jainism preached by Parswanatha, the 23rd Teerthankara.
Mahavir renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook austere penance
until he achieved realization. Even as a boy, Mahavira came to be
associated with many episodes
of absolute fearlessness which earned him the name `Mahavira'. He grew up as a
prince, excelling in physical
prowess and intellectual acumen. He renounced the pleasures and luxuries of the
place, as also the power and prestige of kingship
and undertook a life of intense penance for more than twelve years. He calmly
bore not only the rigors of nature but the torments from the ignorant and
mischievous among his own countrymen also. He finally became self-illumined.
But not content with his own personal salvation, he chose to become a great
human redeemer.
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| Children dressed as rulers take part in procession on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti |
Lord Mahavir spread the message of salvation to the world and had many followers. Mahavir preached non-violence, prohibited any kind of killing and taught his followers to seek salvation through penance and abstinence. They are also advised to donate money, clothes and grain to the poor. The Jains are divided into many sects of whom the main ones are Digambaras and Shvetambaras with the latter again divided into Deravasis and Sthanakvasis. Mahavira initiated a simple five-fold path for the householders: Ahimsa (Non-injury - physical or mental - to others), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (temperance in sexual pleasures) and Aparigraha (non-acquisition of property).
Mahavira left his mortal coils at the age of 71 on the Deepavali day. But the
lamp of peace which he lit continues to grow through the myriad lights of the Festival of
Lights. This year, Mahavir Jayanti falls on 24th of
April.
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