Acharya Hasti Mala
- Monk Hastīmala
GOLDEN ERA
The time period between the first Tīrtha[8]ṃkara[9] Lord Vṛṣabha Deva[3] to the nirvāṇa[6] of 24th Tīrtha[8]ṃkara[9] Lord Mahāvīra[5] is called as Tīrtha[8]ṃkara[9] era of India (Bhārata). It can also be called the golden era of Bhārata region.
On the whole, twenty four Tīrtha[8]ṃkaras existed in this golden era starting from Lord Vṛṣabhadeva to Lord Mahāvīra[5]. They set up Dharma[4] tīrtha[8] (religious creed) during their time to protect the living beings from the age-old grief of sufferings in the 'karalakāla' (the terrifying time period) by enduring the vicious cycle of birth, old age, disease and death and uplifting them from the delusive familial bonds and worldly ties.
They preached friendliness, amiability, untainted pure love not only towards one another but also towards all living beings in the entire universe. They also advocated universal brotherhood and thus paved the way to real humanity. Basing on the heartfelt universal truths like 'Savve Jīvāvi Icchaṃti Jīviuṃ na Marijjiuṃ' and 'Dhammo Maṃdala Mukiṭṭhaṃ Ahiṃsā[2] Saṃjamo (Savve) Tavo' treat all the living beings as you treat yourself and Ahiṃsā[2] (Non-violence[7]), Self-control & penance are the supreme spiritual virtues - they established casteless, creedless, classless and colorless society where amiability and love flows perennially not only over the mankind but also over the entire world.
Those compassionate Tīrtha[8]ṃkaras wandered from place to place, providing solace to, and uplifting the people who were burning under the scorching heat of familial bonds through their nectar-filled words that worked wonders like the first showers of rain and made them worthy enough to enjoy infinite happiness and reach the abode of Lords (Śivadhāma).
