Life of Mahavira (Kalpa Sutra)

Summary

The Kalpa Sutra is an ancient Jain text traditionally composed by Bhadrabahu, a prominent early Jaina teacher, believed to have lived about 170 years after Mahavira�s nirvana. The text is organized into three parts: Jina Carita (biographies of the Jinas in a poetic style), Theravali (a listing of monastic schools and their leaders), and Samacari (rules for ascetics). The main focus here is the detailed biography of Mahavira in the Jina Carita section, translated by K. C. Lalwani. Key events in Mahavira�s life, as per the text, all occur when the moon aligns with the asterism Uttaraphalguni. These events include his descent into the womb, transfer from one womb to another, birth, renunciation, attainment of Kevala knowledge (omniscience), and eventual liberation at the asterism Svati. Mahavira was born as the son of Ksatriyani Trisala and Ksatriya Siddhartha, belonging to the Kasyapa lineage, with the given name Vardhamana by his parents. The text describes a unique embryological episode where the embryo of Mahavira was transferred from the womb of Brahmani Devananda (of the Brahmin Jalandhara line) to the womb of Ksatriyani Trisala (a Kshatriya), by divine intervention ordered by Sakra, king of gods, emphasizing the idea that great spiritual beings are born in noble families. Both mothers, Brahmani Devananda and Ksatriyani Trisala, experienced the auspicious fourteen great dreams, a set of symbolic visions signaling the birth of a Tirthankara (spiritual victor). These dreams include symbols such as an elephant, ox, lion, the moon, the sun, a lotus lake, and a burning flame, each richly described in the text. The interpretations of these dreams signified wealth, happiness, strength, and spiritual greatness of the coming child. The birth of Mahavira was accompanied by divine phenomena, celestial celebrations, and social festivities, with detailed descriptions of the royal court attending his birth and his upbringing as a prince with extensive education in sacred texts and sciences. Mahavira renounced his royal life, giving up all material possessions and comforts after perceiving the time for renunciation. He undertook rigorous ascetic practices, including fasting and meditation. He attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after twelve years of deep meditation and lived an ascetic life for over thirty years, preaching and guiding followers. The text records the size and structure of Mahavira�s spiritual community, including thousands of monks, nuns, male and female lay followers, and various categories of spiritually advanced disciples. His death (nirvana) is described as occurring in Pava at the writers� building of King Hastipala, marking the end of all worldly existence and the attainment of liberation. The cosmic and terrestrial reactions to his death include divine lights and commotion, and the community's continuation is forecasted with changes in their honor and spiritual discipline. The Kalpa Sutra�s account is precise, blending symbolic, spiritual, and historical details with poetic and ritualistic elements, making it a critical source for the life and teachings of Mahavira.