Lord Mahavira Dr.T.V.Rao MD

Who Is Mahavira Mahavira ( महावीर lit. Great Hero) (599 – 527 BCE) is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamana (Sanskrit: वर्धमान "increasing") who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara Mahavira ( महावीर lit. Great Hero) (599 – 527 BCE) is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamana (Sanskrit: वर्धमान "increasing") who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last TirthankaraSanskrittenetsJainismTirthankaraSanskrittenetsJainismTirthankara

Beginning of Lord Mahavira As King Siddhartha's son, he lived as a prince. However, even at that tender age he exhibited a virtuous nature. He started engaging in meditation and immersed himself in Self-contemplation. As King Siddhartha's son, he lived as a prince. However, even at that tender age he exhibited a virtuous nature. He started engaging in meditation and immersed himself in Self-contemplation.

Awakening and Enlightenment After having left behind the pleasures of worldly life, he went into the state of deep silence for a period of about twelve and half years. During this period, he learnt to control his feelings and desires. For quite a long time, he went without food. His search for truth and the real virtues of life made people call him Mahavira. After having left behind the pleasures of worldly life, he went into the state of deep silence for a period of about twelve and half years. During this period, he learnt to control his feelings and desires. For quite a long time, he went without food. His search for truth and the real virtues of life made people call him Mahavira.

Jainism means Not Harming He preached that truth and clean living were the priorities in life, as was non-violence. Till today, Jains do not even harm a fly or a mosquito. True Jains tie a cloth around their nose, so as not to breathe in or destroy living organisms in the atmosphere. He preached that truth and clean living were the priorities in life, as was non-violence. Till today, Jains do not even harm a fly or a mosquito. True Jains tie a cloth around their nose, so as not to breathe in or destroy living organisms in the atmosphere.

Lord Mahavira: Non-Violent Search For Supreme Truth Lord Mahavira: Non-Violent Search For Supreme TruthLord Mahavira:Non-Violent Search For Supreme TruthLord Mahavira:Non-Violent Search For Supreme Truth Mahavira, a great prophet and teacher, systematised the Jain doctrines and embodied them in a comprehensive constitution of the faith. He built the edifice of Jainism by renovation modification and extension. Most of all, he infused new life and vitality into Arhata tradition. Mahavira, a great prophet and teacher, systematised the Jain doctrines and embodied them in a comprehensive constitution of the faith. He built the edifice of Jainism by renovation modification and extension. Most of all, he infused new life and vitality into Arhata tradition.renovation

Accept all as ONE Mahavira said that the one who rejects the people and the world, rejects his own existence; and the one who rejects his own existence rejects the existence of the world. Mahavira said that the one who rejects the people and the world, rejects his own existence; and the one who rejects his own existence rejects the existence of the world.

Mahavira Advises the Humanity Do not reject the existence of the world and do not reject your existence as well. The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element. When you do something for yourself you must know your action/s will impact the entire world." So what can an individual do? How do his actions affect the rest of the world? Do not reject the existence of the world and do not reject your existence as well. The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element. When you do something for yourself you must know your action/s will impact the entire world." So what can an individual do? How do his actions affect the rest of the world?

Have Compassion Live and let live. Love all ‑ Serve all. Live and let live. Love all ‑ Serve all. Where there is Love there is Life. Violence is Suicide Where there is Love there is Life. Violence is Suicide Have compassion towards all living beings. Hatred leads destruction Have compassion towards all living beings. Hatred leads destruction

Non violence Highest Religion Silence and Self control is non ‑ violence Silence and Self control is non ‑ violence Respect for all living beings is non ‑ violence. Respect for all living beings is non ‑ violence. Non ‑ violence is the highest religion. Non ‑ violence is the highest religion.

Who is a Worldly Man A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesn't realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is fool. A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesn't realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is fool.

Why man is Unhappy All human beings are miserable because of their own ignorance, and they themselves can be happy by acquiring proper knowledge. All human beings are miserable because of their own ignorance, and they themselves can be happy by acquiring proper knowledge.

Have compassion to Co - Humans Have compassion towards all living beings. Hatred leads destruction Have compassion towards all living beings. Hatred leads destruction Just I dislike pain, so all other beings dislike pain. Just I dislike pain, so all other beings dislike pain. Aim to eliminate suffering in the world Aim to eliminate suffering in the world

Attain God Hood God is neither the creator nor the destructor of the universe. He is merely a silent observer and omniscient. God is neither the creator nor the destructor of the universe. He is merely a silent observer and omniscient. Know thyself, recognize thyself, be immersed by thyself ‑ you will attain Godhood. Know thyself, recognize thyself, be immersed by thyself ‑ you will attain Godhood.

The Jain Theory on Relationships The same man is regarded simultaneously as son, father, son-in-law, father-in-law, nephew, uncle, brother, cousin, husband and so on; yet there is no contradiction owing to an understood relationship The same man is regarded simultaneously as son, father, son-in-law, father-in-law, nephew, uncle, brother, cousin, husband and so on; yet there is no contradiction owing to an understood relationship relationship which is termed in Jainism as syadvada which is termed in Jainism as syadvada

Mere reading scriptures do not Help Just as a millions of lamps are of no use to a blind person, study of numerous scriptures does not do any good to a person without proper conduct Just as a millions of lamps are of no use to a blind person, study of numerous scriptures does not do any good to a person without proper conduct

What is True Renunciations True renunciation consists in developing indifference towards the world, the body and the enjoyment. True renunciation consists in developing indifference towards the world, the body and the enjoyment.

What are the Evils Anger causes degradation of soul. Pride leads to a low state of existence. Deceit is an impediment (hindrance) to progress towards better state of existence. Greed spoils both, the present and the future lives. Anger causes degradation of soul. Pride leads to a low state of existence. Deceit is an impediment (hindrance) to progress towards better state of existence. Greed spoils both, the present and the future lives.

Greed destroys Human Nature Anger spoils good relations, pride destroys humility, deceit is detrimental to friendship, while greed destroys everything. Anger spoils good relations, pride destroys humility, deceit is detrimental to friendship, while greed destroys everything.

Who is a Free Man A person who is free from delusion (who understands reality), has no misery. A person who is without any longing has no delusion. A person without greed has no longing. A person who does not have possessions has no greed. A person who is free from delusion (who understands reality), has no misery. A person who is without any longing has no delusion. A person without greed has no longing. A person who does not have possessions has no greed.

Navakär Mantra The Navakär Mantra contains the foremost message of Jainism. The message is very clear. If we want to be liberated from the cycle of life and death, we need to renounce worldly affairs by becoming a monk or a nun. The Navakär Mantra contains the foremost message of Jainism. The message is very clear. If we want to be liberated from the cycle of life and death, we need to renounce worldly affairs by becoming a monk or a nun.

Jainism leads to peace and purity Three Jewels of Right Faith, Right Knowledge & Right Conduct are the path leading to peace and purity Jainism Three Jewels of Right Faith, Right Knowledge & Right Conduct are the path leading to peace and purity Jainism

Lord Mahavira becomes Immortal He died in 527 BC at Parapuri in Bihar, and left behind a legacy of thought and some beautiful temples like the Dilwara in Mt. Abu, Rajasthan and Shravanbelagola in Karnataka. He died in 527 BC at Parapuri in Bihar, and left behind a legacy of thought and some beautiful temples like the Dilwara in Mt. Abu, Rajasthan and Shravanbelagola in Karnataka.

Attains Nirvana Around 500 BC, Lord Mahavira, the last of the 24 Tirthankaras breathed his last here. This is the place where Lord Mahavira achieved Moksha or Nirvana (Salvation from the endless cycle of life and death). He was cremated at Pawapuri. Around 500 BC, Lord Mahavira, the last of the 24 Tirthankaras breathed his last here. This is the place where Lord Mahavira achieved Moksha or Nirvana (Salvation from the endless cycle of life and death). He was cremated at Pawapuri.500 BC Mahavira MokshaNirvana500 BC Mahavira MokshaNirvana

Jainism influences Indian Culture Although ancient Jain scientific thought is not so well known, it is a rich source of Indian scientific heritage. The grand Jain spiritual tradition and its masters broadly influenced Indian thought and rationality in three key areas: Although ancient Jain scientific thought is not so well known, it is a rich source of Indian scientific heritage. The grand Jain spiritual tradition and its masters broadly influenced Indian thought and rationality in three key areas:

Mark Twain Praises Indian Traditions India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, grandmother of legend, and great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only." India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, grandmother of legend, and great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only."

Worshipping at Shravanbelagola

Mahavir Jayanti Celebration Mahavir Jayanti has a lot of religious significance for people belonging to the Jain religion. It is observed to celebrate the birthday of the great Lord Mahavira, who According to the Gregorian calendar, the Mahavir Jayanti festival falls during the period between March and April. As a part of Mahavir Jayanthi celebrations, the Jain temples are beautifully adorned with flags. Mahavir Jayanti has a lot of religious significance for people belonging to the Jain religion. It is observed to celebrate the birthday of the great Lord Mahavira, who According to the Gregorian calendar, the Mahavir Jayanti festival falls during the period between March and April. As a part of Mahavir Jayanthi celebrations, the Jain temples are beautifully adorned with flags.

Mahatma Gandhi on Lord Mahavir Mahatma Gandhi on Lord Mahavir I say with conviction that the doctrine for which the name of Lord Mahavir is glorified nowadays is the doctrine of Ahimsa. If anyone has practiced to the fullest extent and has propagated most the doctrine of Ahimsa, it was Lord Mahavira." I say with conviction that the doctrine for which the name of Lord Mahavir is glorified nowadays is the doctrine of Ahimsa. If anyone has practiced to the fullest extent and has propagated most the doctrine of Ahimsa, it was Lord Mahavira."

Dr. Rabindranath Tagore on Mahavira Dr. Rabindranath Tagore on Mahavira Mahavira proclaimed in India that religion is a reality and not a mere social convention. It is really true that salvation can not be had by merely observing external ceremonies. Religion cannot make any difference between man and man." Mahavira proclaimed in India that religion is a reality and not a mere social convention. It is really true that salvation can not be had by merely observing external ceremonies. Religion cannot make any difference between man and man."

Lokamanya Bala Gangadhar Tilak on Mahavira We learn from scriptures (Sashtras) and commentaries that Jainism is existing from beginning less time. This fact is indisputable and free from difference of opinion. There is much historical evidence on this We learn from scriptures (Sashtras) and commentaries that Jainism is existing from beginning less time. This fact is indisputable and free from difference of opinion. There is much historical evidence on this

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on Lord Mahavir Dr. S. Radhakrishnan on Lord Mahavir There is nothing wonderful in my saying that Jainism was in existence long before the Vedas were composed." There is nothing wonderful in my saying that Jainism was in existence long before the Vedas were composed."

Mahavira laid down five ways to get rid of wheel of life: Do not destroy life Speak the truth Be celibate Own nothing Accept nothing that is not freely given Do not destroy life Speak the truth Be celibate Own nothing Accept nothing that is not freely given

Mahavira preached Salvation He preached atheism or the absence of god. Jainism also believes that one can achieve salvation (freedom from wheel of life i.e. rebirth). Jains use the word Karma to mean a substance that binds the soul to physical world. By causing sins you keep accumulating Karma whereas meditation and fasting burns the Karma. One can get freedom from rebirth (Salvation) only after burning the Karma accumulated in past lives. He preached atheism or the absence of god. Jainism also believes that one can achieve salvation (freedom from wheel of life i.e. rebirth). Jains use the word Karma to mean a substance that binds the soul to physical world. By causing sins you keep accumulating Karma whereas meditation and fasting burns the Karma. One can get freedom from rebirth (Salvation) only after burning the Karma accumulated in past lives.

Lord Mahavir attains Pure Bliss At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord Mahavir died and his purified soul left the body and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, a liberated soul, living for ever in a state of complete bliss. At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord Mahavir died and his purified soul left the body and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, a liberated soul, living for ever in a state of complete bliss.

Lord Mahavira’s Teachings inspire the Humanity for Salvation. Dr.T.V.Rao MD