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Paryushan - Samvatsari
MAHAVIR JAYANTI

Mahavira, which means, The great hero was the 24th avatar of Jainism who preached non violence, urging his followers to show kindness to all creatures, be a vegetarian and follow the path of ultimate truth. He lived at the same time as the Buddha and like him, rejected the two Hindu notions of the social system of caste and the rituals of sacrifice. He was a Prince who is believed to have lived in a place called Kundagrama, in Bihar state. A memorial has been built there and a center set up for Jainism and non violence. Mahavira left his home at the age of 30 to become an ascetic, a religious person who practices self denial. He plucked out his hair, discarded his clothes and wandered for twelve and a half years, fasting and practicing severe penances in his search for truth. At the age of 42, he attained enlightment and possessed the divine experience of understanding truth. For the next 30 years, Mahavira traveled across northern India teaching an ascetic path to purity and peace. The Jain book called ‘Kalpa sutra’ records his death at Pava (modern Bihar) at the age of 72 leaving behind him thousands of followers who later formed two sects, the Digambara (naked) and the Svetambara (clad in white). Jains believe that all human beings, animals, insects, plants and even earth, stones, fire, water and air have living souls i.e. jiva. Jains think of karma as ‘atomic particles’ which cling to soul. Deeds of violence, greed, selfishness, dishonesty, sexual misconduct and covetousness obscure the soul. Acts of gentleness and penance lighten and liberate it.

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