THE 24TH TIRTHANKAR
Bhagwan Mahavir is the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. Born as Prince Vardhaman to a royal family in Kshatriyakund (present-day Bihar), his life is a supreme example of the power of the soul to experience its full potential. His principles of Ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truth), achaurya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (celibacy) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness) are a guiding light for the world even today.
The arrogant invites misfortune, whereas the respectful attains prosperity. Respect in any field is the most important anchor of success.
Shree Dashvaikalik Sutra, 9th Adhyayan, Uddeshak 2
THE DETACHED PRINCE
As a young prince, Vardhaman was married to Princess Yashoda and had a daughter named Priyadarshana. At the age of thirty, Prince Vardhaman abandoned royal life and renounced his home and family in the pursuit of spiritual awakening. Even after enjoying princely luxuries, his conscience always pricked him about the one permanent reality of existence — “Nothing is permanent! Neither this body, nor this human birth. Neither relations, nor emotions. The only permanent existence is my SOUL.” He had a burning desire to shed the layers of ignorance that shroud the soul in illusion, to break the shackles of karma, and to attain the higher self.
THE MEDITATIVE EXPERIENCE
With an ardent desire to discover the true purpose of life, Bhagwan Mahavir renounced worldly life and accepted the vows of Diksha in the young age of just 30 years. He immersed himself in deep meditation for a period of 12 and a half long years. It is said that during this crucial phase, He did not sleep for more than 48 minutes, such was His unwavering focus on self-attainment. He believed that winning a thousand enemies in this world is easy, but conquering the self is the true victory. To achieve this, He spent these long years in standing meditation, remaining steadfast amidst dangers, fears, hardships, and adversities, enduring severe penance of both, the body and the mind.
THE INFINITE WISDOM
Bhagwan Mahavir ultimately attained Kevalgnan (omniscience) under a Sāla tree on the banks of the River Rujuvalika at the age of 42, after years of rigorous sadhana and deep meditation. He was not merely an enlightened soul—He was a Tirthankar, a divine being who establishes a Tirth (a spiritual ford) to guide others across the ocean of worldly existence. This Tirth encompasses Sadhus and Sadhvijis (monks and nuns), and Shravaks and Shravikas (lay men and women devotees). His first disciples were eleven Brahmins, revered as the Gandhars, with Gautam Swami as the chief among them. For thirty years after attaining omniscience, He journeyed across India, spreading the priceless wisdom of truth, non-violence, and inner purity.
THE EVERLASTING PEACE
At the age of 72, thirty years after attaining omniscience, Bhagwan Mahavir delivered his final discourse at Pawapuri, in present-day Bihar, speaking continuously for 48 hours. This profound discourse marked the culmination of a life dedicated to the upliftment of all souls. On that sacred night, He attained Nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). His departure from the mortal world left behind a radiant spiritual legacy. Jains commemorate this divine event as Diwali, the festival of light, symbolising the eternal brilliance of His soul, rooted in deep spiritual awakening.
INSPIRATION
Every living being wishes to live, none wish to die. And thus, we must not harm even the tiniest of living beings or give them pain.
Shree Dashvaikalik Sutra, 6th Adhyayan
THE FIVE GREAT VOWS
The Panch Mahavrats are the five great vows that form the foundation of Jain ethical practice. These principles guide individuals towards a life of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness.
Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence, which includes not causing harm to any living being through thoughts, words, or actions.
Satya emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in all aspects of life, encouraging honesty and integrity.
Achaurya is the vow of non-stealing, which involves respecting others' property and not taking anything that does not belong to oneself.
Brahmacharya is the practice of celibacy or self-restraint, focusing on controlling desires and maintaining purity of mind and body.
Aparigraha teaches non-possessiveness, encouraging individuals to live a life free from materialistic attachments and greed.
Anger destroys our love, ego destroys our respect, Deceit destroys our friendship, and greed destroys everything.
Shree Dashvaikalik Sutra, 8th Adhyayan
THE UNIVERSAL MANTRA
Namaskar Mahamantra is a universal Mantra of peace and Maitri (friendship) towards every living being.
While most Mantras are dedicated to individuals, Namaskar Mantra is the only mantra that is dedicated to inner qualities.
Jain philosophy explains that purity is Godliness. Namaskar Mantra is a tribute of appreciation to all the great souls who have attained this absolute purity in the infinite past, are striving to attain inner purity in the present, or will attain it in the future.
Jainism believes that every soul has the potential to be Parmatma, to attain absolute purity. Hence, Namaskar Mantra is respect towards every soul in the world. Namaskar Mantra is a timeless mantra, it has no creator, and no destroyer. Every syllable of this Mantra possesses infinite meanings, infinite potential and infinite energy. Any form of physical illness, mental negativity, critical obstacles can be erased by this selfless mantra, and one can experience a rejuvenation of positivity in life.
The way a child can approach his mother at any hour of the day without hesitation, this mantra can also be recited anytime, anywhere and by anyone - to experience peace, positivity and feel absolutely relaxed.
Desires have no limits. They are limitless like this sky.
Shree Uttaradhyayan Sutra, 9th Adhyayan, Gatha 48
WORLD INFLUENCE
The goal of Bhagwan Mahavir's principles is to attain spiritual peace, secure a better rebirth, and ultimately achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is the path to end sorrow and suffering permanently. His timeless teachings not only uplift the individual soul but also foster a world filled with peace, harmony, and compassion for every living being.
Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir’s foremost principle of Ahimsa (non-violence), Mahatma Gandhi led India’s independence movement through peaceful, bloodless resistance, setting a global example of nonviolent transformation. In his footsteps, Nelson Mandela devoted his life to liberating South Africa through the same unwavering commitment to peace and non-violence. His spirit and ideologies continue inspiring the world even today.
Shri Becharji Swami of the Gondal Sanghani sect of Jainism had blessed Gandhiji with three infallible vows before he left for England – refraining from meat, alcohol and infidelity. Gandhiji upheld these vows despite of adversities, which ultimately had a deep influence on his leadership and personality, his courage and his sattva (inner strength).
Pujya Shri Ujjwalkumariji Mahasatiji was a Jain sadhviji, an intellectual thinker and scholar, who had philosophical discussions for almost 20 days with Gandhiji, before India’s final battle for independence. Gandhiji highly admired for her visionary thoughts, which he said inspired him tremendously during those crucial moments.
Shrimad Rajchandraji was a Jain scholar and poet, the author of Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra. His thoughts on spirituality greatly influenced Gandhiji, strengthening his commitment to truth and non-violence.
Truth itself is God.
Shree Uttaradhyayan Sutra, 9th Adhyayan, Gatha 48
WORLD THINKERS & SCIENTISTS
“I say with conviction that the doctrine for which the name of Lord Mahavira is glorified nowadays is the doctrine of Ahimsa. If anyone has practiced to the fullest extent and has propagated most the doctrine of Ahimsa, it was Lord Mahavira.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“The external mystery of the world is its intelligibility. True religion fastens to this element of intelligibility and creates a system of thought and action which leads to true harmony and bliss. And it is indeed so with Jainism.”
- Albert Einstein
“Jainism is of very high order. Its important teachings are based upon science. The more the scientific knowledge advances the more those Jain teachings will be proven.”
- Dr. L. P. Tessitori, Italy
“Jainism has contributed to the world the sublime doctrine of Ahimsa. No other religion has emphasized the importance of Ahimsa and carried out its practice to the extent that Jainism has done. Jainism deserves to become the universal religion because of its Ahimsa doctrine.”
- Justice Ranglekar, Bombay High Court
“The Jain Sadhu leads a life which is praised by all. He practices the vratas (restraints) and rites strictly and shows to the world the way one has to go in order to realize the atman (soul). Even the life of a Jain householder is so faultless that India should be proud of him.”
- Dr. Satischandra Vidhya Bhushan
“I adore so greatly the principles of the Jain religion that I would like to be reborn in a Jain community.”
- George Bernard Shaw
“O Arhan! You are equipped with the arrow of Vastuswarpa, the law of teaching, and the ornaments of the four infinite qualities. O Arhan! You have attained omniscient knowledge in which the universe is reflected. O Arhan! You are the protector of all the Souls (Jivas) in the world. O Arhan! The destroyer of Kama (lust)! There is no strong person equal to you.”
- Yajur Veda, Chapter 19
“The right of welcoming the delegates of the universal peace organization belongs to the Jains only. Because Ahimsa alone contributes to the establishment of universal peace. Tirthankars, the propounders of Jainism, preached to the world the Ahimsa doctrine. Therefore, who else except the followers of Bhagwan Parshwanath and Mahavira can preach universal peace?”
- Dr. Radha Vinodpal