Acharya Tulsi
| 0 | Introduction |
hagavan Mahavira (599 BC - 527 BC)
was the propounder of the Jain religion, which is one of the oldest living religions of the world.
It is not an offshoot of Hinduism or Buddhism, as has been misinterpreted by some scholars.
Acharya Shri Tulsi, the author of the book, being an authority on the subject, has presented an authentic and historical account of Bhagawan Mahavira's life and philosophy.
Acharya Tulsi observes in his preface to the book: "Bhagavan Mahavira propounded the doctrine of freedom of soul. The soul is not a part of paramatma - God or Supreme soul. It does not dissolve paramatma after it has become emancipated. It maintains its independent existence in the state of bondage as well as liberation."
In the 20th century the intelligentsia are now considering Bhagavan Mahavira as a Saviour of mankind in the sense that he liberated the mankind from the dirge of dependence on others. He endowed man with the insight to tread the path of self-dependence and spiritual exertion.
People who believed in God as the creator and controller of man's fate sought. His grace Bhagavan Mahavira did not deny the existence of paramatma, but he did not accept him to be the creator and controller of man's fate. He said,
“Man himself is the maker of his own fate; nobody else is. Even karma is not such a controlling force, for man himself is the maker of karma. Man is bound to suffer the consequences of his karma, but not to the extent that he cannot change its course. One who enjoys an independent existence is also free to enjoy the freedom of action. The ultimate cause lies wholly within him. Forces other than himself do influence his actions, but they cannot completely emasculate him."
