The Great Man of Peace and Truth: Mahavira of Magadha

Around the aisles of Pavapuri lies an insightful story, taking one on an introspective journey. Reverberating here is the story of Lord Mahavira's life, the last and 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, the man who flourished in austerities for the greater good of humanity.

Lord Mahavira at Dhyana; Image Source: Earth Group

As children we all have been taught moral virtues like non-violence, kindness, simplicity, etc. Considering that the highest religions of peace and simple living like Buddhism and Jainism, practiced in countries like Japan and China, had originated in India, one wonders what might be the backstory of the leaders who gave birth to a divine level of thinking worshiped and accepted by the true followers of humanity. Their religion is the one that preaches simplicity and finding happiness and satisfaction in minute things. It's like moving back to observe the roots which have given birth to such a strong and beautiful tree of life.

The glorious history and significance of Magadha is no longer a subject to which people around the world are oblivious. Magadha holds significant importance in establishing the foundation of India as it is today. Hence it should come as no surprise that the leaders of the world’s most peaceful and simple religions were from Magadha and conducted their austerities and preaching for a long time at Magadha before spreading their teachings around the world. Indeed, it is Buddhism that pops into one’s mind at first because of its popularity globally. However, it was Jainism that originated first, revived by someone who walked on nearly the same path as Gautama Buddha, but a very long, long time before him.

Those who are from Bihar and visit Pavapuri as a part of their weekly outing would barely register the enormous significance of Pavapuri in the golden cultural and religious history of Bihar. Most of the locals are just lightly aware of it being the death place of Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jain religion. Though people consider Lord Mahavira to vaguely resemble Gautama Buddha, Mahavira happens to be the ancient contemporary of Buddha. But yes both men resemble each other as they followed almost the same beliefs and practices to have attained the universal knowledge they gained from their stringent meditative austerities. Along with this, they both belonged and attained the highest penance in Magadha, modernly known as Bihar. Somehow Magadha ruffled the hearts of Buddha and Mahavira in such a manner that they abandoned their identities, class, and even their families.

The life of Lord Mahavira is unpopular to such an extent that even his birth year can’t be determined with surety. His portraits reflect how ancient he is, consisting of lighter and duller shades of yellow as he sits in his meditating pose, a symbol of a lion beneath him, with no means to notice his facial features. His memory has been tinged with yellowish gold, which calls for a retelling, so that the real man and his struggles to revive Jainism in the country could come forward.

Mahavira is said to have been born in a Kshatriya Jain family in a small town called Kundalpur which is 60 km away from Patna, the present capital of Bihar. He was born in prosperity as the Prince Vardhama of the Ikshvaku Dynasty, established by the first Trithankara Rishabhnatha. Mahavira’s parents King Sidharta and Queen Trishala had the good fortune of 28 years of their son’s presence in their lives until at the age of 28 years Mahavira abandoned his kingdom, his name, all his future fortunes that could be his if he had stayed. Nonetheless, the world was destined to be blessed with leadership that could immune it from all evils which hinder humanity to function to its fullest. And so Prince Vardhama, forsaking all worldly comforts, started a life of tough austerities. After more than twelve years of penance, he eventually attained the title of Mahavira, the greatest of all men.

Today Jainism has become a religion that has been open-heartedly selected by more than 4,45,753 people in India, with the highest Jain population residing in Maharashtra and the lowest in Karnataka. Strangely enough, Mahavira was a child of the ancient Magadha but rarely any sense of deep-seated feeling for Jainism is to be found at the former Mahajanpatha of Bharatavarsha. But it is true enough that the struggles of a young man who chose to sacrifice his everything, to revive a notion of living which is now the way of existence for so many people across the country is evident and should be remembered from time to time.

Mahavir Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Mahavira is celebrated on the 13th day of the month Chaitra. It was after thirty years of undivided preachings about lessons like Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truth), Brahmacharya (Chastity), and Aparigraha (Non-attachment) that Mahavira attained Moksha in the sixth century BC. Pavapuri, the Jain temple, in the district of Nalanda in Bihar is the holy site where Lord Mahavira breathed his last. Even today when one takes a stroll around the white glistening pathway of the beautiful Sufi-styled temple, while feeding puffed rice to fishes in the enormous pond of the temple, one can feel his soul purifying, echoing the essence of Jainism, as saints chant away the selfless glory of the man who gave humanity a chance at survival after turning the winds of his own life.