The origin of Jainism is
shrouded in obscurity. The followers of Jainism believe that their religion is
as old as the Vedic religion. In fact, we have reference to Rishabha and
Arishtanemi, two of the Jain Tirthankaras in the Vedic literature. The former
is considered to be the founder of Jainism. In the Vishnu and Bhagvata Puranas
also Rishabha is depicted as an incarnation of Narayana.
On the basis of these
references it can be said that the Jain religion is as old as Vedic religion.
According to the followers of Jainism the teachings of their religion are the
work of twenty-four Tirthankaras and as Mahavira was their last Tirthanakara.
They further say that the first Tirthankara was a king who renounced his
kingdom in favour of his son Bharata and became an ascetic.
According to them our country
is named after this Bharata. Certain scholars hold that though there are scanty
references about the earlier Tirthankaras, in the Vedic literature but they
bear no historical foundation. They accept only Parsva Nath and Mahavira as
true historical figures.
According to Prof. Jacobi.
Parsva Nath was the real founder of Jainism and has been described in the
Puranic texts as one of the twenty-four incarnations of God. Parsva Nath was
the son of Asvasena, the King of Kashi.
He became an ascetic at the
age of 30. After performing a penance for 84 days he was enlightened. He died
at the ripe age of hundred years. He devoted the last 70 years of his life to
the service of Jainism. Parsva Nath was not in favour of Yojnas or worship of
gods and goddesses. He was also opposed to caste system and animal sacrifices
and held that every person could attain salvation in spite of his caste.
He stood for an equal status
for women in the religious sphere. In the main he insisted on four vows,
non-injury to the living beings, truthfulness, non-stealing, and
non-possession. He also established an organisation for preaching
principles.
Mahavira was
greatly influenced by the doctrine of Parsva Nath during his youth and became one
of the reformers of this religion. He devoted his life to the popularization
of Jainism in Magadha and Anga.
Short Biography of Mahavira |
Jainism
The below mentioned article
provides a short biography of Mahavira.
The original name of Mahavira
was Vardhamana. He was born at Kundagrama. His father Siddhartha was the Chief
of his clan. Siddhartha had two sons and Vardhamana was the youngest of the
two. He was born in 539 B.C.
At the time of his birth the
astrologers made a forecast that either he will be a great king or a great
saint. Mahavira spent his early life in the royal luxuries and was married to a
beautiful princess, Yashodhara.
A daughter was also born to
Mahavira. It is said that parents of Mahavira were the followers of Parsva
Nath, and Mahavira was greatly influenced by the teachings of Parsva Nath. He
developed a bent towards meditation while he was still a child.
At the age of thirty when his
parents had died he denounced the world with the permission of his elder
brother. For about 13 months he wore clothes but subsequently he cast off his
clothes and started living naked.
During the next 12 years he
lived on extreme self-mortification. All sorts of living beings gathered and
crawled round his body but he continued his meditation. During this period he
did not take any bath, washed teeth or take any medicine.
Often he went on without water
for months. After all these hardships he attained knowledge at, the age of 43.
After this he came to be known as Jaina Mahavira (or the conqueror), and his
followers came to be known as Jains.
After his enlightenment
Mahavira continued to preach his doctrines. For this purpose he travelled
widely and had to face many difficulties. The initial response of the people
was not quite favourable. It is said that at the country of Ladha people
attacked him with dogs, but despite all these difficulties he did not lose courage
and continued to preach his doctrine.
In course of time a large
number of people became his followers.
Mahavira was particularly lucky to
receive patronage from the royal families. Rulers like Bimbsara of Magadha,
Pradyota of Avanti, Dadhivardhan of Champa rendered him considerable help in
spreading his message.
Although Mahavira was a
contemporary of Buddha but it appears that the two never met each other.
Mahavira died at the age of 72 at village Pawa in Patna district. It is said
that at the time of his death he had about fourteen thousand disciples.
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