Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti as the day when Trishla Mata gave birth to Lord Mahavir, over 2600 years ago. They celebrate it on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the Indian month Chaitr (March or April). Similar to celebrations in other religions, Mahavir Jayanti commemorates the birth of one who spiritually inspires many.
Lord Mahavir was a Tirthankar who taught how to walk the path to liberation from the cycle of life and death to attain Moksha – abundant, infinite, eternal bliss and how to find the hero within one’s self. On the day of Mahavir Jayanti, the Jains dig deep down within themselves to find the self-control to detach themselves from certain worldly pleasures, instead of collecting temporary, material possessions. For some Jains it is like Christmas – a time for giving the gifts of compassion and friendship to those less fortunate than ourselves, and sharing whatever qualities we have, with those that deserve them.
In His life stories, Lord Mahavir demonstrates non-violence (Ahimsa), courage (Abhay), friendship (Maitri), compassion (Anukampa), love (Vaysalya) and equanimity (Samta) to the utmost degree.
At the heart of right conduct for Jains, lie the five great vows:
- Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - not to cause harm to any living beings
- Truthfulness (Satya) - to speak the harmless truth only
- Non-stealing (Asteya) - not to take anything not properly given
- Chastity (Brahmacharya) - not to indulge in sensual pleasure
- Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - complete detachment from people, places, and material things
All Paths Laid Down By All Seers Lead To The Same Goal
Jainism, the religion that was rendered an all- India movement by Mahavir, extols jina (the heroic conqueror of the senses), the emotions and the stratagems of the intellect. He called upon all to carry out the duties commensurate to their status and professions, with steady faith and enthusiasm. He declared that all things and beings are holy in their own right and are but pilgrims on the road to Realisation. Any Injury inflicted on any of them is an intervention in that sacred journey and so has to be scrupulously avoided.1
"Namaskar" Is The Message Of Unity
When the senses are allowed to have their way, all kinds of reactions occur. It is only when the senses are brought under unified control that the nature of Divinity can be comprehended. The eyes have the power of sight. The ears can hear. The powers of all the sense organs - seeing, hearing, speaking, etc., are derived from the Divine. It is the Divine that enables the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the mind to think and to have various experiences. It is when all these sensory processes are brought under unified control (by the conquest of the senses) that man becomes a conqueror a "Jina" - as termed by the Jains. Because he had conquered his senses the title of victor was conferred on Mahavira.2
Five-fold Adoration
Jain mode of worship (Jainopasana). The Jains have as their mantra:
Namo arihanthanam
Namo siddhanaam
Namo ayiriyanam
Namo uvajjhayanam
Namo Loye savva sahuunam
Salutations to the great heroes who have conquered desire, etc.
Salutations to those equipped with supernatural powers.
Salutations to the great masters of spiritual wisdom.
Salutations to the great teachers who transmit the wisdom.
Salutations to the good persons of all lands.
This five-fold adoration helps remove the evil effects of all sinful acts. Experiencing the meaning of this mantra gives one the sum of prosperity. The Jains declare that when one merges in this universal adoration, one is liberated and attains moksha.3
In Jainism also, the same truth was taught by Mahavir. When the senses are allowed to have their way, all kinds of reactions occur. It is only when the senses are brought under unified control that the nature of Divinity can be comprehended. The eyes have the power of sight. The ears can hear. The powers of all the sense organs - seeing, hearing, speaking, etc., are derived from the Divine. It is the Divine that enables the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the mind to think and to have various experiences. It is when all these sensory processes are brought under unified control (by the conquest of the senses) that man becomes a conqueror a "Jina" - as termed by the Jains. Because he had conquered his senses the title of victor was conferred on Mahavira.4
References
1. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, October 01, 1976
2. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, December 25, 1991
3. Sri Sathya Sai Vahini – Chapter 10
4. Sri Sathya Sai Baba, December 25, 1991