| Mahavira Jayanti is the birthday of Mahavira. It
is observed on the first day of the month of Bhadrapad. The date on which he was
born is how ever in dispute. According to the Digambara sect, his birth took place
in 615 BC, whereas the Svetambaras claim that it occurred in 599 BC. The occasion
is of special significance to the Jains because he was their 24th and last Tirthankara.
The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. Jain temples, dedicated to
Mahavira, are decorated with flags for the occasion. In the morning the idol of
Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath called the abhishek. It is then placed in
a cradle and carried in a procession around the neighborhood. Drummers, boys with
silver staves and arati lamps, bhajan singers, musicians, horses, elephants and
tableaux depicting scenes from the life of Mahavira form part of the pageant.
It concludes at a temple or a huge ground reserved for the purpose. Many devotees
and by standers participate in the procession. At the temple, people offer ceremonial
prayers and meditate. On his birth anniversary, Mahavira's followers recall his
teachings, and try to adhere to them. Four kinds of donations are recommended
for every Jain: of food called ahar dan; of medicines and equipment's, called
aushad dan; of dispersing knowledge by giving sermons, called gyan dan; and of
protecting people from any bad deeds they might commit, called abhay dan. |
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| People refrain from violence of any kind, and keep
their emotions in control, eating their evening meal before the sunsets. They
also donate money, clothes and grain to the poor. Many Jains organize food and
drinks for the community. These functions are open to all. In homes, people make
imprints of hands on the walls to bring luck. The hands are dipped in water mixed
with vermilion, then pressed against the wall to make an impression. The hand
symbolizes good will and is considered auspicious. According to Jain mythology,
Mahavira had not only performed many good deeds, but had also acquired all the
qualities necessary to become a Tirthankara in his previous life. Six months before
he was to take birth in the mortal world, the gods and goddesses created an atmosphere
befitting to the arrival of a great being. |
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Innumerable goddesses came down to the earth to
tend to the needs of his pregnant mother. There was gold rain from the heavens
and everyone was rid of poverty and illness.
Just before his birth, at the auspicious hour of four in the morning, Mahavira's
mother Trishala had sixteen dreams. In these visions, she saw a white elephant,
a lion, Lakshmi with two elephants at her side showering flowers, the moon lighting
the universe with silvery beams, a pair of jumping fish, the radiant sun, a golden
pitcher, a lake full of lotus flowers, a calm ocean of milk, a celestial palace,
a throne of rubies and diamonds, a celestial king ruling the earth, a garland,
a white bull, fragrant Mandara flowers, and a vase as tall as Mount Meru filled
with gems. |
| Immediately after this, she felt a
white elephant from heaven enter her body through her mouth. At the time of his
birth, Mahavira's mother felt none of the pain or agony of childbirth. It is believed
that at the exact moment of his birth, the life forms in all the three worlds
were cheerful and content. Several gods and goddesses descended from the heavens
to pay homage to the Tirthankara. They bathed him ceremonially and named him Vardhaman,
Vir, Mahavira, Ativira and Samvati. The child was of exceptional beauty and developed
great physical and spiritual strength. At the age of 30, Vardhamana decided to
renounce the world. He sat in deep meditation under an Ashoka (Jonesia asoka)
tree for 12 years, before attaining enlightenment. All the gods gathered to watch
the great event. At the moment of his enlightenment, they bore him up and carried
him in a palanquin to a park where he was put on a five-tiered throne and acknowledged
as Mahavira. Here he stripped himself of all his clothes. Instead of shaving his
head, he tore his hair out from the roots, for he was above pain. According to
the Digambaras, Mahavira wore no clothes thereafter, but the Svetambaras believe
that Indra presented him with a white robe. This sect believes that white robes,
unlike all other personal possessions, do not impede the liberation of the soul
by getting involved in the cycle of earthly life. Mahavira preached non-violence
and prohibited any kind of killing. He also believed that the most virtuous life
is spent sitting still and fasting, as then a man does not run the risk of injuring
life even involuntarily, by swallowing or treading upon insects. On his birth
anniversary, every Jain resolves to follow his teachings |
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