Mahavir: Emperor of inner virtues

Namah Arihantanam Namah Siddhhanam Namah Ayariyanam Namah Uvjhayanam Namah Loye Savva Saahunam Aiso Panch Namahkkaro, Savva Paav Panasano Manglanancha Savvesim, Padhmam Havei Mangalam

Salutations to arihants (those who have achieved complete non-attachment with the beings and the world), salutations to siddhas (those who are siddha purush), salutations to acharayas (head of religious groups of sadhus and sadhvis), salutations to upadhyayas (teachers of scriptures) and salutations to all the sadhus and sadhvis who have left their families and worldly pleasure in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

Lord Mahavir, the 24th and the last Teerthankar (Prophet) of the Jain religion order, was born around 2,600 years ago and was known as Vardhaman until he achieved the state of enlightenment. Thus, Vardhaman became Mahavir. Mahavir means one who has won over his senses, mind, emotions and all other worldly bondages. At the age of 30, he left his kingdom and became an ascetic. He did intense penance for 12 years and attained nirvana (salvation/enlightenment).

In those days, animal sacrifice was a common practice followed by Hindus under the Vedic rituals as oblation to God. As Lord Mahavir could not bear this onslaught on helpless creatures, he started advocating non-violence. He preached that

All creatures have equal rights to live. All creatures bear the same pain when hurt, tortured or killed. All souls are alike without any distinction irrespective of whether they are in animal body or in human body. No soul is superior or inferior. Every soul is omniscient and blissful.

Every soul is independent and passes through different physical bodies (animal, bird, human, etc.) during the course of its evolutionary journey based on its karmas (deeds). Our behaviour with others should be similar to the behaviour we expect from others.

Lord Mahavir’s simple and straightforward concept was “to live and let live”. His vision was for complete harmony among all creatures in the world. He advocated this harmony through complete non-violence and as per him non-violence needed to be practised not only through physical actions, but through speech and thoughts. We first emanate violent thoughts through our mind, followed by violent speech which is finally followed by physical action. If we practice meditation and harmonious behaviour with all beings, then the mind will be at peace. A peaceful mind is one that is full of love. In this state, mind becomes incapable of even thinking ill about anyone, leave alone any violent thought and speech.

This state of complete peace and tranquility were very well demonstrated in Lord Mahavir’s life. Wherever and whenever he used to meditate, he would get surrounded by wild animals quietly sitting near him, experiencing the same meditative state and tranquility. If violent animals can become non-violent by the influence of meditation, why not humans

The concept of “live and let live” is even more apt in the present time with dwindling human values. Let us all strive to live our lives based on this simple concept and spread happiness within and around us and become Mahavir (the emperor of inner virtues).

Sadguru Rameshji is a modern age spiritual guru and founder of Poorna Ananda, a centre for spiritual evolution and joyful living. Visit www.poornaananda.org