•  
  •  
  •  
  •  
 

Mahavira - His Life & Message

 

By Mr. M. K. Dharma Raja

 

The year-long two thousand six hundredth birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Mahavira serve to highlight the all-time validity and relevance of his teachings as guidelines for the benefit of mankind. His precepts marked by the stress on reconciliation have been looked upon as multi-dimensional guidelines for distraught and ailing humanity at the crossroads of survival or extinction. At a time when the society was torn with conflict and strife and large-scale killing spelt disaster, he gave the clarion cal to uphold the sanctity of all forms of life. "All living beings are born equal and have the right to live," he emphasized all through his exemplary life. Above all, he practiced what he preached.

The age in which Mahavira was born was a period of serious unrest and ferment. Human society at that juncture sorely needed a saviour. Mahavira then appeared on the scene propagating the message of amity, tolerance and universal brotherhood. He stressed and demonstrated the efficacy of the virtues of non-injury or Ahimsa, the practice of truth, non-stealing, limited possessions and celibacy that implied limiting oneself to one's own spouse. These as he repeatedly explained were desirable and effective correctives to alleviate distress and disharmony.

Mahavira, born in 599 B.C. was traditionally the 24th Trirthankara in the present cosmic time-cycle. The Tirthankaras are saviours of mankind by conferring the panacea of "Tirtha". The way to eternal bliss. He was born at Kundagrama, a suburb of Vaishali, some 45 kms to the north of Patna. His parents were King Siddhartha - head of the Lichchhavi Republic and Queen Trishala. Their child was named, "Vardhamana" - the one ever on the ascendant since his advent brought incr3easing prosperity to the land. And by dint of his deeds of valour and fearlessness he acquired the name of "Mahavira" a superhero.

Though born in princely comfort, Mahavira began setting himself on spiritual pursuits quite early in life. At the age of thirty, he renounced the life at the place and walked into forest undertaking the vows of ascetic life. For twelve years he practised the hardest penance. During this period he was subjected to torture and travails by his detractors. He endured all these with supreme forbearance. His response was " I forgive all living beings. May all beings forgive me. I have friendliness for all and bear malice towards none". To those who flocked to listen to him mahavira said, "Talk gently, walk gently so that no form of life is harmed; look ahead some distance while you walk".

After cleansing himself of all impurities of mind and body, Vardhamana Mahavira attained omniscience- the insight of complete comprehension of everything. For thirty years Tirthankara Mahavira traversed the entire land disseminating the message of righteous living and universal brotherhood. His teachings brought a healing touch to the distressed and, indeed, have been commended through the centuries. Mahavira attained Nirvana at Pava in 527 B.C. at the age of 72.

Sakya Muni Gautama Buddha was a younger contemporary of Mahavira. His ancestors were believed to have been followers of the 23rd Tirthankara Parshwanath. Buddha revered his senior contemporary and often asked his disciples to regard Mahavira as one who had realized the highest wisdom.

In his sermons Mahavira referred to the many-sided aspects of reality. His insistence on the multifaceted doctrine is totally non-dogmatic. It is a corollary of co-existence leading to reconciliation of divergent views. Truth has many facets depending on how one views its permutations, he pointed out. The Tirthankara's audience hall represented a laity of all faiths. His chief apostle Indrabhuti was born in the Vedantic tradition but accepted Mahavira as his mentor. That was the wholesome precept that brings together humanity in a fraternity of faiths.

Mahatma Gandhi often commended Mahavira's precepts of the multi-faceted doctrine and of limited possessions. These principles are recipes for harmonious living an social welfare, he said. About the principle of non-violence, Gandhiji, himself its foremost exponent, said, "As and when this benevolent principle will be sought for practice by the people of the world to achieve their end of life in this world and beyond ....... Bhagwan Mahavira is sure to be respected as the greatest authority on Ahimsa. If anybody developed the doctrine of Ahimsa. It was Lord Mahavira. This over it and translate in into action.".

The Constitution of the Indian republic has the imprint of Mahavira's sublime life and message. A landmark event in Washington in May last year was the prayer ceremony at a special sitting of the American House of Representatives convened to pay homage to Mahavira on the occasion of his epochal birth anniversary where Congressman Frank Pallone and other spoke of the enduring value of the Tirthankara's precepts.

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Article Courtesy : Padamshree Virendra Prabhakar, "Ahimsa"
C-II/32, Bapa Nagar New Delhi-110005 Tele : 23384760 
Publish By Bookman Printers. (2002-03)

-----------------------------------------------------

 

Padmashri Virendra Prabhakar

 

Press Photo Journalist

 

Selfless, methodical & continuous persuasion, farsightedness so also industry do bring laurels. These come on their own too here and overseas alike. India's ace Press Photo Journalist Padmashri Virendra Prabhakar stands testimony, once again, who is a living legend to a long and hoary history.

Chequered 15 August-born during 1928 in a respectable Jain family of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Prabhakar had his initial training in sculpture and photography from eminent sculptor Shri Sudhir Khastgir at Doon School, Dehradun, and in paintings at Chitrasjala, Mussoorie.

Shri Prabhakar chose Press Photo Journalism as a career, way back in 1947. What an exciting time that was, as the country happened to be still engrossed in freedom movement. The occasion: Asian Relations Conference. It was addressed by no lesser personalities than stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Indonesian President Dr. Sukarno, to name a few, at Old Fort, Delhi.

Thereafter, till now his hectic efforts resulted in the publication of unprecedented 14,458 news photographs taken by him in various functions, occasions 'par excellence' which brought rather extra-reputation to national dailies of Hindi and English through their front-page placement with his bys-line. First recognition for Shri Prabhakar came in 1982 as Padmashri from the President of India. Afterwards, Delhi State and other States' Awards. American Biographical Institute (USA) has selected him for the 'Distinguished Leadership Award' and 'Man of the Year 2000' Rotary International, Bharat Scouts & Guides and Kala Ratna, Photographic Councils and many other decorations. The Citation of 'Limca Book of Records', categorically, accepted him as the 'longest spell working Press Photo Journalist' and 14,458 published news photos takes by him alone to his credit.

AIFACS Millennium 2000 'Kala Vibhushan Award' for outstanding achievements in photography is another feather in his cap.

Shri Prabhakar, Secretary, 'Chitra-Kala-Snagam' established in 1950, with the First President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and the First Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, as its Patrons. He is also a Founder-Member of several organisations and devoted to the emancipation of literary, music-dance and fine arts as well as brought out many momentous, pictorials and historical volumes

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R281202