Life of Vardhaman Mahavir

1. Preface:

 When the caste religion and rituals were being dominated in Indian religion, then some branches emerged from the Brahminical Hindu religion which laid the foundation of caste and austere humanitarian religion, in which Jainism also has a special place.  The originator of this religion can be called Mahavir Swami.  He is considered the 24th and last Tirthankar of Jainism.

 2. His birth and introduction:

 Mahavira was born in a Kshatriya family in 527 BC in Kundagram near Vaishali.  His father's name was Siddhartha, who was the king of the Gyanatrik clan and the king of Kundagrama.  His mother's name was Trishala, sister of Raja Chetak of Lichchavi dynasty.  Being born in the royal family, his early life was full of comforts.

He was married to a girl named Yashoda, with whom he had a daughter.  At the age of 30 after the death of his parents, Vardhman Mahaveer thought of taking retirement.  After killing him for 12 years, he attained Kaivalya knowledge on the banks of river Rijugalak after severe and difficult penance.

 After attaining enlightenment at the age of 42, he spent 30 years of his life preaching.  Preached his religion in Kashi, Anga, Magadha, Mithila, Kaushal.  Mahavir met Ghoshal of Nalanda after establishing Jainism in Pavapuri, which was a significant event.  At the age of 599 BC, he attained nirvana in Pavapuri.

 3. Their thoughts and actions:

 Jainism of Mahavira religion was an egalitarian, karmic religion, with special emphasis on purity of conduct, observance of rules, etc.  In this religion, atheistic, karmistic religion, the emphasis is on the observance of the five Anubhavrata - Ahimsa Satya, Astaya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya etc.  Fasting and penance have also been given importance to achieve Kaivalya posture salvation.

 Ahimsa is its foundation.  Right view, right knowledge, right conduct are the essence and three eyes of this religion.  “Handling your responsibility as far as possible in a human way.  All Jain religions believe in karma and moksha. "

Jainism - Digambara and Shvetambara - divided into two sects on the basis of their ideology.  Digambar considers the sage direction as clothing.  They do not wear clothes.  Whereas the whitetails only wear white clothes.  The main aim of Jainism is attainment of salvation.

 As creatures, even as gods, the soul is trapped in the cycle of birth and death.  By getting rid of this, the post of Kaivalya can be attained and its target is to attain salvation.  Every soul has eternal power.  Jainism's message to mankind is to achieve perfection with the help of the Creator.

 Mahavir Swami had logically contradicted the rituals of Brahmins in Jashviya village.  The eleven Brahmin priests he defeated later joined Jainism.  Both men and women were his disciples.

 The union that Mahavir Swami had formed was divided into four parts - monk-gakshuni, sravak-shravika.  The monks were male monks.  The nuns were female ascetics.  The Shravaks used to be members of the Sangh as householders.  Similarly, the female listener was also a Gaharathan.

 The monks and nuns had to follow the five Mahavratas and the Shravaka-Shravakis had to follow the Anubhavrata.  The government of retiring was called Nishkman Sarkar.  This ceremony was performed only with the permission of the parents and any guardian.

 Jain literature has been composed in Prakrit language.  The fundamental teachings of Mahavir Swami written in it are compiled in 14 texts, which are called Apangas or Moolasutras.  Jain literature can be mainly divided into 6 parts: 1. Dwadash Anga, 2. Dwadash Upang, 3. Das Darshan, 4. Sashtha hole Sutra, 5. Four Sutras and 6. Miscellaneous Sutras.

 4. Overlaw:

 Jainism was an ideal religion based on its principles, but in practical terms it became increasingly decadent due to the strictness and preaching of rules and penance and the absence of protection and propagation of emperors.  In contrast to this, the prevalent Buddhism had become popular due to being more practical and simple, which resulted in the neglect of Jainism.

 Due to differences with Mahavir Swamy's daughter Priyadarshini and son-in-law, he formed a separate Dharma Sangha, due to which and other reasons this religion was affected.  But in terms of unity, organization, literature and philosophy, this religion holds the highest position among Indian religions.  The followers who follow this religion rigorously still exist in India.