Tag: jainism

Mahavira was of the opinion that man creates  his own destiny through his deeds. According to him, a person is born in a higher or in a lower Varna in consequence of the sins or the virtues acquired by him in the previous birth.

Becoming an ascetic at the age of 30, Vardhaman Mahavira practised the most rigorous asceticism for the next twelve years. In the thirteenth year, at the age of 42. he attained "Kaivalya" i.e. the supreme knowledge and final deliverance from the bonds of pleasure and pain. Hence, he was called "Kevalin". He sat under a sal tree on the bank of river Riju Palik or Riju Kaa in Jambhika near Vaishali for the attainment of Kaivalya.  

Jainism was divided into two sects: Shvetambaras or those who put on white dress, and Digambaras or those who keep themselves naked.

Jainism is based on 5 ideals : Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya. It is believed that only the fifth doctrine was added by Mahavira: other four were taken over by him from previous teachers. Jainism gives utmost importance to Ahimsa or non-injury to living beings.

Vardhamana Mahavira was believed to be born in 540 B.C. near Vaishali, in north Bihar. His father Siddartha was the head of the Jnatrika clan and his mother Trishala was the sister of the Lichchhavi chief Chetaka, whose daughter Chellana was wedded to king Bimbisara of Magadha. Thus Mahavira's family was connected with the royal family of Magadha.

In order to spread the teachings of Jainism, Mahavira organised an order of his followers which admitted both men and women. Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were human beings but they attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self-realization. 

After the attainment of Kaivalya, Vardhaman Mahavira was called Jina which means conqueror of senses, and hence his followers were called Jainas. 

In order to sort out ideological differences and to compile the main teachings of Jainism, a council was convened in Pataliputra, modern Patna. But the Jainas from southern India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu boycotted the council and refused to accept its teachings. From then onwards, the southerners began to be called Digambaras, and the Magadhans Shvetambaras.

Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, opposed all forms of religious rituals and sacrifices. He was also against the Varna system. In his opinion, through pure and meritorious life members of the lower castes can attain Moksha. Jainism was, in general, against dividing people on the basis of caste or Varna.

Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (322-298 B.C.) became a Jaina, gave up his throne and spent the last years of his life in Karnataka as a Jaina ascetic and contributed to the growth of Jainism in South India.