Mahavira
24th Tirthankara of Jainism teachings and essence
Mahavira: 24th Tirthankara
of Jainism vardhamana Mahavira
Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara
of Jainism
was the last of the series of 24th Tirthankars in Jainism Dharma.
Jainism as we understand today is primarily focused on the teachings and essence
of Bhagwan Mahavira. Why?
Right from the times of the first Tirthankara
Rishabdeva (aka Adinatha) nothing and up till the 23rd Tirthankara... the tenets
and the teachings
of Jainism did not exist in the society as in the times of Mahavira.
It was only in the times of Mahavira that Jainism took its roots.
The
precipitation of all the teachings right from the first Tirthankara Rishabdeva
(aka Adinatha) and up till the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath occurred only when
Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara arrived on the scene.
If we are to mix
hydrogen and oxygen gas to make drinking water then most of us would be least
concerned with the process itself. It is only when the two gases meet and the
water is formed... we recognize the process. It was not the process but the end
result we are after!
In
life it is the goal and not the journey which matters most. Once we have a goal
in sight... to traverse the journey would not be difficult! What use is of the
journey where there is no goal?
Mahavira came about 1000 years after the advent of Lord
Krishna who gave to the humanity the teachings
of the Bhagavad Gita. If Bhagavad
Gita comprises of 18 fundamentals of life then... Jainism as propounded
by Mahavira may contain only 15 fundamentals.
In the times of Mahavira
even these 15 fundamentals were difficult to assimilate. The society had started
degenerating from the times of Lord Krishna.
In present times one can often find people quoting that it is difficult to
reach the level of Swami
Vivekananda... what to talk of becoming
Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa or reaching the stage of Bhagwan Mahavira
himself.
As the society loses its value... people tend to become
more and more materialistic. Mahavira gave to the society the fundamentals of
Ahimsa and the doctrine of Anekantavada. These two realities of life imbibed in
the general masses a feeling of compassion and also Vairagya (Asceticism).
It is Mahavira and Mahavira alone who taught us the real meaning of unity
in diversity. It was Mahavira who taught us that even Lions and the buffaloes
can live together in harmony. Whether we believe in the teachings of Mahavira
or not... it is a confirmed fact of life that without the practice of Ahimsa in
real life... the life itself loses its meaning!
Mahavira also taught
us that the total humanity including the various other forms of life can always
live-in harmony. It was the fundamentals of Anekantavada which made it possible
for mankind to live a harmonious life. Now, what is Anekantavada?
If I were standing on the first floor of the house and someone in the house on
the ground floor called for me then, what would one say "call him down from
above". Now a person standing on the second floor of the house would call
for me as "call him above".
How is it possible that both the
narrations are correct? As per Mahavira it is the fundamental of Anekantavada
which confirms that both the statements are correct. The perspectives may be different
but the doctrine of Anekantavada by Mahavira relies upon the principle of logistical
conclusions.
In the present society where Religions are numerous... as
per the doctrine of Anekantavada preached by Mahavira... all can live-in harmony
for it is only the viewpoint that may be different but the goals of all the Religions
is always the same. All man
Gods like Mahavira, Gautama
Buddha, Jesus
Christ and Prophet
Mohammed preached the same.
Mahavira was instrumental
in precipitating what we know as Jainism. Mahavira was the one who bared it all
in the end. Mahavira was able to prove to the society that every human being reaches
the ultimate goal of life... become an enlightened
soul (self
realized atman).
Mahavira contrary to Jesus Christ never stated
that normal human
beings can not reach the level of Jesus Christ himself. Mahavira always
stated that it is within the means of every human being to become Mahavira in
one's lifetime.
According to Mahavira, the essence
of Jainism is one who has won himself... one who transcends all the
barriers of the physical mundane life and crosses over to the spiritual end of
life! The word Jainism is derived from the root word "Jina"... meaning
one who has realized his real self and merges his identity with the bigger whole,
God
Almighty himself.
Jainism is not a religion and followers
of Mahavira and Jainism beliefs are never referred to as following Mahavirism.
Jainism has always been preached and considered as "a
way of life". It is a Dharma
following which one can become enlightened
like Mahavira in one's lifetime.
It is only Jainism which believes in
the fact that the body of a human being is a garb for the soul
Atman within. The Tirthankars in Jainism wore no clothes as they had realized
that before reaching the state of enlightenment
it was necessary for one to discard the physical manifestations in life.
Jainism as preached by Mahavira is a Dharma which believes and practices true
renunciation... getting free of all the attachments
and the karma
in the physical mode of life. Mahavira made it absolutely clear that before one
can hope to reach the highest pedestal of spiritual life... we need to free ourselves
of all the attachments and bondages of physical life.
Mahavira:
Teachings essence Becoming a mahavira must be the cosmic goal of every human being!
In present times... compared to Buddhism
the teachings of Mahavira do not find many takers. While talking to a publisher
friend of mine... the gory fact was put together... it was in the ratio of 1:10
that the Jainism literature was being published. The reason... it was very difficult
to follow the doctrine of Mahavira In present times.
As it was easier to follow Buddhism... we have massive literature on Buddhism
available today. No denying the fact that following the dictates of Mahavira in
present times is a really difficult task but not unachievable for the ultimate
goal of life of every human being is becoming a Mahavira in the end.
Becoming a Mahavira is the cosmic goal of every Jiva (living being)! Whether we
follow the teachings of Mahavira and become a Mahavira in present life or in next
manifestation is totally dependent upon our karma
in present life.
Essay
by: Vijay
Kumar "Atma Jnani"
Vijay
Kumar... The Man who Realized God in 1993 explains the phenomenon the world knows
as Mahavira. For more details on mahavira visit - mahavira.
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