| Mahavirjayanti |
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The Birth Anniversary of Mahavira
This Jain festival is celebrated on the first day of Bhadrapad. There is a grand cradle procession, with great
rejoicing to commemorate the birth of Mahavira, the last
Tirthankara
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
lasttirthankara.
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 neighbourhood.
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.
Tabular depicting scenes from the life o Mahavir
People refrain from violence of any kind, and keep their
emotions in control, eating their evening meal before the sun
sets. 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 condusive to the
arrival of a great being. 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
MountMeru, filled with gems.
Food and drink's are distributed free
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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