Mediyaan YuvaExecutive Summary
Mahavir Jayanti is a significant festival celebrated in India to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. According to the Bharatiya Panchang, it falls on the 13th day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi), which usually falls in March or April.
Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Bihar, India. His birth name was Vardhamana, and he was born into a royal family. However, at the age of 30, he renounced all worldly pleasures and became an ascetic, dedicating his life to the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.
Lord Mahavir’s philosophy was centered around the concept of ahimsa or non-violence, which he believed was the key to spiritual liberation. He also emphasized the importance of practicing self-control and detachment from material possessions, as well as the need to live a simple and austere life.
The teachings of Lord Mahavir have had a profound impact on Indian culture, particularly in the areas of ethics and spirituality. His emphasis on non-violence and compassion has influenced not only Jainism but also on Buddhism and Hinduism. His teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world to live a life of peace and harmony.
On Mahavir Jayanti, Jains all over the world celebrate by visiting temples, offering prayers, and performing charitable acts. They also engage in fasting and introspection, reflecting on Lord Mahavir’s teachings and striving to embody his message of non-violence and compassion in their daily lives
Detailed Biography
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most significant festivals of Jain Hindu sect. It is observed to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavira, the twenty fourth and last tirthankara of Jainism.This is mainly observed with reverence to Lord Mahavir, with anointment of his statues, prayers and meditation.It is celebrated on the 13th day of the waxing (rising) half of Hindu month of Chaitra which usually occurs in either late March or early April in the Gregorian calendar.
Mahavir Jayanti celebrated as the birth of Mahavira, a contemporary of the Buddha, and the 24th and last Tirthankara (great sages).
Mahavira, whose childhood name was Vardhamana, is considered the founder of Jainism. His emergence is significant in history of Indian religious and spiritual tradition as it was when Vedic form of Hinduism had gone far away from its rich doctrines and complex rituals and sacrifices had over shadowed the religious and spiritual lives. He offered the people a simple, short and intelligible way of salvation to achieve liberation of the soul by following a self-disciplined ethical code. The reasons behind his prompt acceptance among the masses include the unrest against the solidification of dogma Priesthood gave silent rise of superstition and lengthy rituals.
He was born on the thirteenth day of the rising moon of Chaitra to King Siddartha and Queen Trisala in Vaishali (Bihar), a few miles from present Patna city. His parents named him Vardhaman.
According to Swetambars, Vardhaman’s expecting mother had 14 dreams. When astrologers interpreted these dreams, they predicted that the child would become either an emperor or Tirthankar, a person who achieves spiritual enlightenment. The prophecies of the astrologers came true and later he became the 24th Tirthankar.
There are 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. The first Tirthankara was Rishabhdev and the last one was Mahavira.
Shri Rishabhdev Swami
Shri Ajeetnaath Swami
Shri Sambhavnaath Swami
Shri Abhinandan Swami
Shri Sumatinaath Swami
Shri Padamaprabh Swami
Shri Supaarshvanaath Swami
Shri Chandraprabh Swami
Shri Suvidinaath Swami
Shri Sheetanaath Swami
Shri Shreyaansnaath Swami
Shri Vaasupujya Swami
Shri Vimalnaath Swami
Shri Anantnaath Swami
Shri Darmanaath Swami
Shri Shaantinaath Swami
Shri Kunthunaath Swami
Shri Aranaath Swami
Shri Mallinaath Swami
Shri Munisuvrat Swami
Shri Naminaath Swami
Shri Nemnaath Swami
Shri Paarshvanaath Swami
Shri Vardhamaan Mahaveer Swami
According to the Jainism scriptures, the philosophy of Jainism was formalised by the last Tirthankaras, i.e. Vardhaman Mahavir.