1. Vardhaman Mahaveer: (599-527 B.C.E.) Life of Mahaveera: He was the 24th Thirthankara and . the real founder of Jainism. He was born in Kundagrama near Vaishali in 599 BCE in a kshatriya family. Eli’* parents were Siddhartha and Trishala. Siddhartha was the head of a kshatriya clan called Janatrika. Vardhaman had a very comfortable early life. At the age of 18, he married Yashoda and subsequently a daughter was born.
Her name was Anojja or Priyadarshini. Mahaveera was inclined towards spiritual life and renounced worldly life. He left home and wandered ***** in search of the truth and the real meaning of life. He lived the life of self-mortification (renunciation) and deep meditation. Finally one day in Vaishaka, he attained Supreme Knowledge (Enlightenment) of Kaivalya (Jnana) and became Kevalin (omniscient) at Jrimbhikagrama in Bihar.
Later he became also known as Jina, which means conqueror of all likings and dislikings. His followers came to be known as Jains. Vardhaman was hailed as Mahaveer or the Great Conqueror.
2. Propagation of the Religion: Mahaveera spent the rest of his life in preaching his doctrines to the people of Magadha, Anga, Mithila, Kosala and only parts of India. His religion attracted a large number of followers and also Kings like Bindusara and Ajatashatru. He accepted the teachings of Parshwanatha as the basis of Jainism. He lived till the age of 72 years and passed away at Pavapuri near Patna, in 527 BCE.
3. Teachings of Mahaveera: The main basis of Jainism is the belief in soul and karma. The main objective of Jainism is the attainment of salvation by freeing the soul from the earthly pleasures. Mahaveera preached five vows and three jewels for the attainment of salvation.
Three jewels or thiratnas:
- Right, Knowledge is understanding the doctrines of Jainism.
- Right ***** is the firm belief in the omniscience of Mahaveera.
- Right action or conduct is the fulfilment of the five great vows.
The main teaching of Mahaveera was “Ahimsa Paramodharma”, He paid great importance to non-**** and rejected the authority of the vedas and the supremacy of the brahmins. He believed in establishing an order which would lead the people to the path of truth and salvation. To liberate the soul from the ** of karma, it is necessary to ** the latter. This can be achieved by an individual by practising the five vows or principles.
4. Five vows (principles) or avoidance of the five evil karmas: Mahaveera preached the ethical code and insisted that the following five should be practiced. They are:
a. Non-** (Ahimsa): Jainism believed in an extreme form of non-**. Ahimsa means that **** should not be caused by words, thoughts, and actions. There should be no harm or ill-treatment to any living being.
b. Truth ( Satya): One should not speak untruth, and should also avoid speaking a bitter truth.
c. Non-stealing (Asteya): One should never steal or pick up things that do not belong to them either directly or indirectly.
d. Non-possession (Aparigraha): Aparigraha means one is to avoid the longing for worldly things, possession of wealth and property.
e. Chastity (Brahmacharya): Chastity means control of passions, emotions, and desires. Purity of thought, words and deed are to be cultivated.
All these five principles will lead to the path of salvation. Mahaveera did not believe that the universe was created by nor did he make any reference to Him. He preached that change was a natural phenomenon. Birth and ** were natural and applicable to men and matter. He condemned the caste system and the sacrificial rituals. Nirvana should be the ultimate aim of a soul.
