The Jain community of the entire world is gearing to celebrate Mahaveer Janmakalyanak or Mahaveer Jayanti or birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahaveer, the 24th Teerthankar of Jain community, on April 25. In the present situation, Mahaveer Jayanti will be celebrated in low key manner. Vardhaman Mahaveer preached the path of righteousness. According to him, “Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Jnana (right knowledge) and Samyak Charitra (right conduct) are the four basic principles to be followed together to attain liberation or Moksha.” Mahaveer in his life followed five vows and guided his disciples to follow the same.

 

These five vows are: Ahimsa (Non-violence) means not to cause harm to any living beings. Satya (Truthfulness) means to speak the harmless truth only. Asteya (Non-stealing) means not to take anything not properly given. Brahmacharya (Chastity) means not to indulge in sensual pleasure. Aparigraha (Non Possession/Non attachment) means achieving complete detachment from people, places, and material things. Mahaveer was born into the royal Kshatriya family of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala of the Ikshvaku dynasty, which is the dynasty of Lord Rama too. According to the Jain texts, Mahaveer was born on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra in the year 599 BCE. According to Gregorian calendar, Vardhamana was born during the month of March-April, which is when Mahaveer Jayanti is celebrated today. Mahaveer was named ‘Vardhamana’, which means “One who grows”. After his birth, his kingdom had the fortune to have increased prosperity.

 

Mahaveer’s parents were followers of the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshwanath who attained Moksha 250 years before the birth of Lord Mahaveera. Mahaveer is jitendriya who conquered and controlled all five entities of body that is touch, vision, ears, taste buds, and smell. At the age of 30 years, after being born as a prince with all worldly leisure and royal lineage at hand, Mahaveer surrendered worldly possessions, including clothing, become a monk and went on the path of searching for truth, spiritual awakening and enlightenment. According to traditional accounts, Mahaveer achieved Kevala Jnana (omniscience, or infinite knowledge) under a Sala tree on the banks of the River Rijupalika near Jrimbhikagrama at age 43, after twelve years of rigorous penance, won over his senses and become one with ultimate soul.