On the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Chaitra, Queen Trishala gave birth to a baby-boy. He was named Vardhaman, as his father's kingdom and fame grew right from the time he was conceived. Prince Vardhaman was a beloved of his parents. He received all the necessary education and training.
Mahavir Jayanti
Long,
long ago, there was a Brahmin named Rishabhdeva. He lived a peaceful life with
his wife Devananda. When Devananda was expecting a baby, there was a divine
interference and the embryo inside her womb was transferred to that of Queen
Trishala, the wife of King Siddhartha of Kundalpura. Queen Trishala was also
known by the name of Priyakarni. Before delivering the baby, the queen had a
series of 14 dreams. “What can be the meaning of these strange dreams, my
Lord?” she discussed with King Siddhartha. “Hmm! Let me consult the best
astrologers of our kingdom,” said the king.
The
astrologers interpreted Queen Trishala's dreams. “The dreams that the expectant
mother has seen are the indications of the forthcoming child's future,” said
the astrologers. “What is the future of my child? Please tell me, O noble men!”
King Siddhartha pleaded. “The child would be either an emperor or a
Thirthankara!” replied the astrologers.
On the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Chaitra, Queen Trishala gave birth to a baby-boy. He was named Vardhaman, as his father's kingdom and fame grew right from the time he was conceived. Prince Vardhaman was a beloved of his parents. He received all the necessary education and training. Due to his extraordinary intelligence and bravery, he was also called 'Mahavira'. Right from his childhood, Mahavira was extremely penitent. He preferred to be alone and showed little or no interest in the comforts and luxuries of the palace.
Mahavira
was obedient to his parents and served them with great devotion. But as he grew
up, he became more and more detached from his parents, friends and relatives.
At the age of 30, he resolved to give up his worldly belongings. After
distributing all his wealth to the poor, Mahavira went to the forest and
started living like a monk. He wandered in search of true knowledge and
attained enlightenment after 13 years of meditation.
In
time, Vardhaman Mahavira went on to become the 24th and last Tirthankara
(spiritual teacher) of the Jain religion. At the age of 72 years, Mahavira
attained Nirvana in 527 BC. His birthday is observed as Mahavira Jayanti and is
celebrated with great zeal and devotion. There is a difference of opinion
between the two sects of Jainism. The Digambar school of Jainism believes that
Lord Mahavira was born in 615 BC. whereas the Svetambara School believes that
he was born in 599 BC. Digambaras believe child was born while the Svetambaras
believe that she had 14 dreams.
Mahavir
Jayanti is largely spent in prayer, and there is no pomp and show associated
with it. This is because both the sects of Jainism give supreme importance to
renunciation, the liberation of man from the material world. The devotees visit
the Jain temples and other sacred places. Some sacred places are the ancient
shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat, the Parasnath temple in Kolkata, and
the Jalmandir at Pawapuri in Bihar.
It
is said that for a devout Jain all sins end at Pawapuri. Lord Mahavira breathed
his last at this place. After his cremation, in order to take his ashes the
devotees removed a large amount of soil from around the funeral pyre. Thus was
created a water tank. Later, a marble temple, called the 'Jalmandir1, was built
in the middle of the tank.
On
the Mahavir Jayanti the other 23 Tirthankaras are also worshipped. The Jain
devotees make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water to Lord
Mahavira and his predecessors. However, a majority of the devotees prefer to
spend most of their time in meditation. In some places, peaceful processions
are taken out. Children stage dramas, enacting the important events of
Mahavira's life. It is considered an auspicious day to start new business or
get engaged in social activities.
Mahavira
was an influential religious leader and social reformer. He rejected the caste
system and ritualism, and was against idol worship. He taught people to live a
life of extreme asceticism and practice non-violence. He lived a life of
absolute truthfulness, honesty and chastity. Therefore, his birth anniversary
gives us a message to attain self-perfection through 'tri-ratna' (three jewels)
of Jainism - right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
Festivals of India : Tag: Festivals of India : Festivals of India - Mahavir Jayanti