Mahaveer Sanglikar
jainway@gmail.com
This life story of Bhagwan Mahaveer illuminates the remarkable journey of Vardhaman Mahaveer, the towering figure of ancient India’s eminent philosophers.
Contrary to popular belief, Vardhaman Mahaveer was not the founder of Jainism; rather, he embarked on a path of reform, building upon the teachings of Parshwanath, the 23rd Jain Teerthankar (Ford Maker).
His legacy resonates as a testament to his profound impact on the spiritual landscape of his time.
The Birth and Early Years of Bhagwan Mahaveer
Bhagwan Mahaveer was born in 599 BC in Kundgram, near Vaishali in Bihar, India. He was the child of Siddharth and Trishala. Siddharth came from a respected warrior lineage of the Nath Clan, while Trishala was the daughter of Chetak, the esteemed Lichchhavi king of Vaishali. Vardhaman Mahavir, with an elder brother named Nandivardhan and six maternal aunts married to various Eastern Indian kings, had ties to multiple royal families. These connections later facilitated the spread of his reformed Jainism.
Receiving a princely education, Vardhaman Mahavir excelled in literature, art, philosophy, military, and administrative sciences. Despite his proficiency in worldly matters, he felt a profound inclination towards renunciation. However, his parents, hesitant about him forsaking spiritual life, did not share this feeling.
In Quest of Absolute Truth
At the age of 28, Vardhman Mahaveer faced the loss of his parents. Although now free to depart the palace, his brother Nandivardhan pleaded for his presence a while longer. Out of respect, Vardhman Mahaveer remained until the age of 30, during which time he embraced rigorous self-discipline and the austere life of an ascetic.
Upon reaching 30, he divested himself of all personal possessions, generously distributing them to the needy, and departed from the confines of the palace. Roaming the wilderness and unfamiliar terrains barefoot, he immersed himself in meditation, often fasting and abstaining from speech.
Despite enduring harassment from tribal people, he maintained a serene composure, never yielding to provocation.
After twelve years of relentless pursuit, Vardhman Mahaveer embraced the life of a naked monk. His first meal in this new phase of existence was provided by Chandana, a slave woman who had suffered persecution at the hands of her owner’s wife.
Embarking on foot across various regions of northern India, including present-day Bihar, Jharkhand, western Bengal, Orissa, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Vardhman Mahaveer disseminated his teachings on the noble path of life. He vehemently opposed the practice of animal sacrifices, drawing followers from all strata of society, including royalty, scholars, and the common folk.
Prominent Brahmins such as Indrabhuti Goutam, Agnibhuti, and Vayubhuti, along with their numerous disciples, rallied to Vardhman Mahaveer’s cause. Shrenik Bimbisar, a renowned and powerful king of Rajgrahi, became one of his disciples, engaging in profound dialogues with Vardhman Mahaveer on topics ranging from the nature of the soul to the practice of meditation. These exchanges were meticulously recorded by Indrabhuti Goutam and are still preserved in Jain literature.
Teachings of Bhagwan Mahaveer
Vardhman Mahaveer’s teachings were rooted in the ancient Shraman tradition. He rejected the notion of a creator deity and the concept of a supreme God. According to him, the universe had no singular creator but had existed infinitely in the past and will continue to exist indefinitely, undergoing only changes. His approach was notably scientific for his time.
In Mahaveer’s philosophy, the pinnacle of human potential was achieving the status of God by overcoming one’s karma. He emphasized self-realization, urging people to strive towards becoming godlike rather than seeking an external deity.
Central to his teachings was the doctrine of Anekantvad, or pluralism, which asserts that every truth is multifaceted, and shaped by various perspectives. Each observer grasps a fragment of truth, and only by considering all viewpoints can the whole truth be understood.
Bhagwan Mahaveer vehemently rejected the notions of social hierarchy based on caste or class. He believed that greatness was determined solely by one’s actions, irrespective of birth status. Mahaveer’s mantra, “Eko Manuss Jaai,” underscores the unity of mankind, transcending barriers of caste and class. His egalitarian principles were evident in his acceptance of individuals from all backgrounds into his order, including Chandana, a former slave who rose to lead all the nuns in Mahaveer’s community.
His teachings emphasized the Three Jewels of Jainism: Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Conduct.
Five Vows
Bhagwan Mahaveer gave 5 vows to his disciples. These vows were as following:
Ahimsa (Non-Violence): Prohibiting the killing of any living being and avoiding all forms of violence, including verbal harm. Vegetarianism was a fundamental practice among his followers, although he recognized the necessity of unavoidable killings in certain livelihoods such as agriculture. He also acknowledged the right to self-defense and defense of others.
Truthfulness: Advocating for honesty in speech, while also advocating for tact and compassion in delivering truths that may cause harm.
Non-Stealing: Prohibiting theft and the acquisition of others’ property without consent.
Non-Possession: Encouraging simplicity and moderation in material possessions, with surplus wealth to be used for charitable purposes.
Celibacy: Advocating for self-control over sexual desires and refraining from extramarital relationships.
Vardhman Mahaveer’s teachings continue to inspire seekers of spiritual and ethical enlightenment, embodying timeless principles of compassion, truth, and self-mastery.
Nirvan
Vardhman Mahaveer envisioned the ultimate purpose of life as attaining nirvana (Moksha) or salvation—a state transcending the cycle of birth, life, and death. His journey culminated in nirvana at Pavapuri in Bihar, on a moonless day, at the age of 72 in 527 B.C. Simultaneously, his foremost disciple, Indrabhuti Goutam, achieved Keval Gyan, the pinnacle of knowledge.
Word of Vardhman Mahaveer’s nirvana swiftly spread, drawing the chieftains of fourteen kingdoms to Pavapuri to partake in his funeral rites. Rather than mourning, people marked the occasion with jubilation, as Mahaveer had attained liberation from the cycle of life and death.. In honor of this auspicious event, the kings resolved to commemorate it annually as a festival of lights—a tradition that endures across India to this day.
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