Mahavir Jayanti

10 Apr 2025

Mahavir Jayanti

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Bhagwan Mahavir on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

About Mahavir Jayanti

  • Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of the current Avasarpini cycle. Mahavira succeeded Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara.

Navkar Mantra

  • The Navkar Mantra is a seven-line prayer that salutes and seeks blessings from five supreme beings in Jainism
  • These beings include the Arhats (enlightened beings or Tirthankaras), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyayas (teachers), and Sadhu (monks or ascetics).

    • It is celebrated as a tribute to compassion, self-restraint, truth, and ahimsa (non-violence).
    • In 2025, this auspicious occasion falls on April 10, marking the 2623rd birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira.
  • Celebration: Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with temple visits, Rath Yatras, charity, and scripture readings. 
    • Devotees also perform Abhishekam, the ceremonial bathing of Lord Mahavira’s idol.

About Lord Mahavira

  • Birth Name: Vardhamana, meaning “One who grows,” symbolizing prosperity during his birth.
  • Clan and Lineage: Born into the Jnatra clan of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
  • Parents: King Siddhartha and Queen Trishalaa, a Lichchhavi princess.
  • Date of Birth: 599 BC, Chaitra Sud 13 (according to Jain texts).
  • Birthplace: Born in the Vajji confederacy (a democratic republic), with Vaishali as its capital.
  • Renunciation: At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced worldly life in search of truth. 
  • Kevala Jnana: After 12 years of intense meditation and penance, he attained Kevala Jnana (supreme knowledge) and spent the rest of his life preaching spiritual liberation.
  • Moksha: He attained Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at age 72 (5th century BC).
  • Sangha: Mahavira established the Sangha, which was a monastic community aimed at disseminating his teachings. 
    • It included both male and female followers, thus promoting an inclusive approach to religious practice.
  • First Sermon: Delivered his first sermon at Pava (near Patna).
  • Passed Away: Died at Pavapuri (near modern-day Rajgir, Bihar).
  • Patronage: He often visited the courts of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.
  • Symbol: A symbol is associated with every Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira’s symbol was a lion. 
  • Titles: Mahavira (great hero), Jaina/Jitendriya (who conquered all his senses), Nirgrantha (who is free from all bonds)
  • Teachings/Mahavratas (the 5 great vows): 
    • Ahimsa (non-violence)
    • Satya (truth)
    • Asteya (non-stealing)
    • Aparigraha (non-attachment)
    • Brahmacharya (chastity) (propounded by Mahavira)
  • Language of Teachings: Mahavira and his disciples taught in Prakrit to teach ordinary people.

Relevance of Lord Mahavira to Contemporary India

  • Promoting Non-Violence: Encourages peaceful coexistence in a pluralistic society like India, fostering communal harmony and mutual respect.
  • Sustainable Lifestyle: Jain principles of simplicity, restraint, and sustainability aligns with the national Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign.
  • Ecological Significance: Jainism’s sutra or aphorism of “Parasparopagraho Jivanam,” emphasizes mutual interdependence and ecological balance.
  • Cultivating Emotional and Mental Wellness: The principle of Brahmacharya (Self-Restraint) encourages control over desires and moderation in personal habits for inner peace and balance.
  • Public trust and Institutional integrity: Satya (truth) and Asteya (non-stealing) together uphold honesty and fairness. They form the ethical foundation for public trust and institutional integrity.
Additional Reading: Jainism: Definition, Doctrines And Cultural Impact – PWOnlyIAS, Jainism

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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