Lord Mahavir was the last and the 25th Tirthankara of Jainism, one of the oldest religions in India.

Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Kshatriyakund, Bihar, India. His birth name was Vardhamana.He was born into a royal family and was the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.At 30, Lord Mahavir renounced his luxurious life and left his palace to become an ascetic.He practised intense meditation and self-discipline for 12 years and achieved enlightenment at 42.Lord Mahavir preached the philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa), non-attachment (aparigraha), and non-absolutism (anekantavada). His teachings and principles have profoundly influenced Indian philosophy and religion, including Buddhism and Hinduism.

The history and significance of Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is a significant Jain festival celebrated every year, in March or April, on the thirteenth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls on different dates every year as per the Gregorian calendar.

Lord Mahavir was born as Vardhamana on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in Chaitra month in 599 BCE, in Kundagrama, near present-day Vaishali in Bihar, India. He was born into the Kshatriya clan.

According to Jain tradition, the birth of Lord Mahavir was accompanied by many encouraging signs, including the appearance of divine beings, the fragrance of flowers, and the presence of celestial music.

Lord Mahavir grew up to be a prince and later renounced his luxurious life at thirty and became an ascetic. He practised severe austerities and meditation for twelve years and attained enlightenment, which he preached for thirty years.

The previous births of Lord Mahavir

Jainism believes in reincarnation, which means that the soul takes multiple births before it reaches liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Mahavira's previous births are described in various Jain texts and legends, which depict his journey towards enlightenment as -

One of the most popular stories about Mahavira's previous births is his life as a prince named Neminatha. Neminatha was the cousin of Lord Krishna, and he was known for his extraordinary strength and bravery. However, one day, he saw a group of animals being slaughtered for a feast, and he was deeply disturbed by the violence.

Another story tells of Mahavira's previous birth as a king named Marichi. King Mariachi was a devout Jain who practised the principles of non-violence and compassion towards all beings. However, his kingdom was invaded by a neighbouring king, and Marichi was forced to engage in battle. Despite his reluctance to use violence, he fought bravely and won the war. However, the experience left him deeply traumatised, and he vowed never to engage in violence again.

In another story, Mahavira is said to have been a prince named Dhananjaya in his previous birth. Dhananjaya was renowned for his wealth and power, but he was also known for his generosity and kindness towards his subjects. However, one day, he witnessed the suffering of a poor farmer who was forced to sell his daughter into slavery. Moved by compassion, Dhananjaya sold all his possessions and freed the girl from bondage.

Here are some critical teachings from the past and present life of Lord Mahavir:

• Lord Mahavir's most important teaching was that of ahimsa or non-violence. He believed all living beings, including humans, animals, and plants, have a soul or jiva. Therefore, all life is sacred and should be treated respectfully and compassionately.
• Lord Mahavir taught that violence and aggression were obstacles to spiritual growth and that a faithful follower of Jainism must practice non-violence in thought, word, and deed.
• He also believed that every action, whether good or bad, has a consequence that affects the soul's journey towards enlightenment.
• Lord Mahavir taught that living a life of non-violence, self-discipline, and spiritual purity can accumulate good karma and progress towards ultimate liberation.
• He further believed in the importance of asceticism and self-denial to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
• He stated that giving up material possessions, worldly desires, and physical pleasures could purify the soul and attain inner peace and harmony.
• Lord Mahavir preached the idea of equality and social justice. He believed that all people, regardless of caste, gender, or social status, were equal in the eyes of God and should be treated with respect and dignity.
• Mahavira encouraged his followers to live a simple, humble life and help those in need. He taught that one must practise ethical behaviour, such as truthfulness, honesty, and self-control, to achieve spiritual growth and liberation. He also emphasised the importance of proper conduct or samyak-charitra in Jainism.

Mahavira's teachings hence emphasise the concept of karma and its effects on an individual's current and future lives. He believed that one could break the cycle of birth and death by following the path of spiritual purification and living a life of non-violence and compassion.

Mahavir Jayanti 2023: Date, Day and Celebration

This year the Mahavir Jayanti falls on April 4, Tuesday.On this day, visit Jain temples to offer prayers and seek blessings from the Lord. The temples have special puja ceremonies that are held in honour of Mahavira.

One of the main rituals of Mahavira Jayanti is the Abhishek ceremony, which involves bathing the idol of Lord Mahavira with milk, curd, honey, and other sacred items. This ceremony is believed to purify the soul and bring good luck and prosperity to the devotees.

Another strong festival tradition is the community's procession in various cities and towns. The parade includes a chariot carrying the idol of Lord Mahavira, along with other decorative items.

Jains also observe a day-long fast on the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti. It is believed that fasting helps purify the body and mind and helps one to connect with the divine. Devotees break their fast by consuming simple vegetarian food after sunset.