तीर्थकर एवं मंगलमय-भगवान महावीर
By Late Pandit Nathuram Dongariya Jain
Summary
The article presents a concise account of the Jain *Tirthankara* tradition and the life, teachings, and historical significance of Bhagwan Mahavira, based on an unpublished 1971 essay by Nathuram Dogriya Jain. It explains the *Tirthankara* ideal as a spiritual guide who attains liberation and leads beings toward freedom from worldly suffering, tracing the lineage from the first *Tirthankara*, Ṛṣabhadeva, through figures such as Neminatha and Parshvanatha to Mahavira. Ṛṣabhadeva is described as introducing social skills, livelihood practices, governance, and ascetic discipline, while later *Tirthankaras* sustained the religious path through teaching and renunciation. Against a background of ritual violence, sectarian divisions, sacrificial practices, and moral decline, Mahavira is portrayed as a fearless prince (*Vardhamana*) who renounced royal life at around thirty, embraced celibacy and severe asceticism, and practiced twelve years of austerity marked by equanimity, restraint, and endurance. After attaining *kevala-jñāna* near the Ṛjukulā River, he preached a universal ethical path grounded in non-violence, truth, self-restraint, non-possession, compassion, equality, and rational understanding. The article emphasizes *anekāntavāda*, *syādvāda*, self-effort, and the spiritual potential of every being to attain liberation through right faith, knowledge, and conduct. It further recounts Mahavira’s travels, disciples, influence on rulers and lay communities, the spread of ethical discipline such as restraint and *aparigraha*, and his *nirvāṇa* at Pāvāpuri, linked to the continued observance of Diwali. The final pages include an illustrative story of the wealthy follower Ānanda, whose partial practice of non-possession is presented as a model of social welfare and ethical moderation. [The editor notes that the original essay was written in 1971 and later published as a commemorative tribute during the author’s birth centenary.]
Conclusion
This article underscores the enduring relevance of the Tirthankara tradition, particularly through the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira, as a timeless guide for spiritual liberation. By tracing the lineage from Rishabhadeva to Mahavira, the text highlights a continuous path of overcoming ignorance and karmic bondage through right knowledge, faith, and conduct. The implications are profound: the historical and philosophical framework presented reaffirms that every soul possesses the innate potential for enlightenment, and that the Tirthankaras provide a proven methodology to realize it. The outcome for the reader is a reinforced understanding that the principles of non-violence, truth, and asceticism are not merely ancient ideals but practical tools for achieving lasting peace and freedom from suffering, even in a complex modern world.