Mahavir Jayanti:Take Away His Key of Non-Violence

Falling on 13^th day of waxing moon in the first Hindu month of Chaitra every year, Mahavir Jayanti marks the birthday of Lord Mahavir, the last in the galaxy of 24 Tirthankaras (prophets). The current disciples or followers flock to His shrines in Gujarat or to nearby holy places for prayers and religious rituals. However, have you ever thought who the real follower of the Lord is?

According to Param Pujya Dadashri, “A true disciple of Lord Mahavir sees decreasing numbers of faults in others. He may not completely stop seeing faults in others, but at least there is a decrease in the number of times that he does.”

When the shepherd pushed thorns into the Lord’s ears, even then who did the Lord see as guilty? The Lord saw in His Gnan that His own karma had now come into fruition, and therefore, did not see his tormentor at fault. This is the foundation behind His preaching of absolute non-violence, not to hurt any living being from mind, speech, and body.

When someone picks your pocket and you do not see him at fault, and if this vision prevails in countless other similar circumstances, know that you will achieve liberation like Lord Mahavir who managed to attain the same without binding karma through the flawless vision. This is Atma Gnan, the knowledge of Self, due to which you start to see everyone as faultless. Therefore, the real significance of celebrating Mahavir Jayanti is to make your vision flawless for others through Gnan that is possible to achieve even today.