Ancient Indian religion had two independent traditions—the Shramanic and the Brahmanic. The Ugras, the Bhojas, the Rajanas, the Kshatriyas, the Gyatas, the Kauravas and the Dravidas were the followers of the Shramanic religion. The Brahmanic community followed the Vedic religion.
The twenty-four tirthankaras were all kshatriyas. The last tirthankara in this tradition was Lord Mahavira. About two thousand six hundred years ago, he rose as a glorious meteor on the Indian horizon. He was the senior contemporary of Lord Buddha and was born in 599 BC at Kunda Vaishali Gram in Bihar.
Lord Mahavira was a living example of the highest human virtues. He spent twelve and a half years in spiritual practice, at the end of which he attained kevalgyana (omniscience) or 'absolute truth'. His teachings were an insight into the light of truth and led others on the path of enlightenment.
The first and foremost characteristic of Lord Mahavira was his immense compassion. He did not want to cause harm to anyone in any way. Even in the embryonic stage, he had extra-sensory knowledge. At that time not knowing that his mother, Trishala, would get worried he thought, "Though I must remain in the womb during the gestation period, I should be careful not to cause difficulties for my mother, so I should be motionless." But his mother of course, grew anxious when there was no movement within the womb she thought something had gone wrong. The infant in the womb realized that he was causing more trouble by being motionless, so he started his movements again and was determined to abstain from any activity that might cause undue pain to his parents. During this phase he decided that he would not renounce the world as long as his mother was alive. This is the best example of his compassion.
The second characteristic of Lord Mahavira is that he asked the people to become introvert. A widespread prevalence of rites and rituals had made people extrovert even in matters of ethical values. In order to bring about a revolutionary change, he laid stress on inwardness. It was a common belief among the people that one can became a Shramana by simply shaving one's head, a Brahmana by merely repeating the sound of Omkaara, a Muni by merely living in the forests and a Tapasvi by wearing clothes made of the barks of trees.
Lord Mahavira did not accept the norms of Shramana, Brahmana, Muni and Tapasvi. He insisted on their recognition through their inner qualities. He said, "One cannot become a Shramana simply by shaving his head, Brahmana simply by repeating the sound Om, a Muni simply by living in the forest and a Tapasvi simply by wearing the clothes made by bark." He laid stress on the practice of equanimity, celibacy, knowledge and penance. A Shramana must practice samata (equanimity), a Brahmana brahmacharya (celibacy), a Muni must seek gyana (knowledge) and a Tapasvi must observe tapa (austerities). Thus, it becomes clear that Lord Mahavira's outlook was completely introverted.
The third characteristic of Lord Mahavira is that he said "The soul itself is the perfect soul." Man is the determiner of his own fate. He himself is the creator of his own happiness and misery. They does not exist any external agency such as God. This governs man’s action the soul becomes the perfect soul by destroying karma particles.
The fourth characteristic of Lord Mahavira is that he said, "O man, Exert yourself, if you do not use your inherent spiritual powers, you will remain devoid of spiritual wealth."
He said, "Exert yourself in spiritual discipline so long as you remain unaffected by old age, disease and senility."
A person can become an ocean by the drops, the sun by the rays & the lord by devotion, provided, he works hard. People afflicted with passivity and laziness were inspired with the ideal of spiritual exertion by Lord Mahavira.
The fifth characteristic teaching of Lord Mahavira is that he said, I am not alone, not only I exist but others have also their own existence. Soil has its own existence. Water has its own existence. Fire and air have also their own existence. The leaves of a tree move and we knew that air is blowing. We don't see the air but we know it through or senses, i.e., there is a response to stimulus.
Mahavira realized the existence of the air-bodied. He said that all the trees, plants, grass, small straws, sprouts, vegetables & fruits have their own existence and fauna like insects, monkeys, hare etc. also have their own existence. Human being's existence is very clear. Mahavira established oneness with all the living beings and became alert. Until one feels oneness with the living world, one cannot be aware of his character. Deforestation is very much in process in today's world for his selfish uses & sometimes he does it unnecessarily & carelessly. Such type of a man cannot feel the so called oneness with the living beings. Man began the civilization when the 1st tree was grown. Now, he'll end civilization when he cuts the last tree.
The awareness of Mahavira was not only for him alone, but his awareness was for whole the world. His philosophy is the philosophy of the solution of current problems. At present, many scientists are worried about the over wastage of water. They think that time may come when water will not be available to us. In ancient proverb it is said that we should use water as ghee. Mahavira said in Acharanga Sutra — "One who does not accept the existence of earth, water, fire, air and vegetables does not accept his own existence." They have their existence like ours. This is not only the principle of non-violence but also the solution for environmental problems. Non-violence is not a religious tenet but it is related with our day-to-day life. Today we find petrol a lot, by which buses and cars are running. Scientists say that if we keep on using the petrol, it will not be available for our future generation after a certain time period as it is a non-renewable resource. Scientists are worried how we will do our work without fuel? All our scientific development is dependent on electricity. If the fuel is finished, the scientific age will be finished. Petrol was unknown to people till the scientific age. Petrol undoubtedly was discovered then though it was always lying under earth for 4 billion years. In other words, it is a boon man has given to himself. But the pathetic thing is that the discovery itself is already soon to disappear. Scientists have already started worrying about this, as once if it’s lost. It'll never reappear back. Few years back even scientists thought of replacing it with water by giving some chemical treatment. But Alas! That too is scarce in this mechanical world.
If we keep on using petrol in such quantity, our next generation will say: "Our ancestors lived with pomp and show but they did not leave anything for us." Our elders led a life of self-control which is why now we are getting all kinds of comforts. If we look at the present a question arises about what our future generation will think. The modern generation has been leading a luxurious life. What will they leave for the coming generation?
Too much exploitation of the earth is creating a problem for us. As earth is a problem so is water. Mahavira said — "Minimise the use of things and don't be attached to them." This is a great principle but few have given importance to it.
What Lord Mahavira preached two thousand twenty six years ago, holds good in the present age too. The tenets of Jainism as propounded by Lord Mahavira have the power to lead all the humanity in the right direction.
Lord Mahavira considered casteism as irrational. Hence man and woman belonging to all casts and communities were initiated by him. He had eleven ganadharas (apostles). All of them were Brahmans. The original followers of those ganadharas were also Brahmans.
A large number of Kshatriyas had also been initiated. Many Kshatriya rulers like Dasarnabhadra, the ruler of Dasarnapura, Udrayana, the ruler of Sindu Sauvira, etc. entered the order of Lord Mahavira. Mrigavati, the queen of Satanik, ruler of Kausambi and several queens of emperor shrenika of Magadha became nuns and joined the order.
Dhanna, Shalibhadra, Anathi etc. belonging to the Vaishya community and Shudras like Arjunamali were also admitted to the order of Lord Mahavira. The order was open to all human beings.
