Mahavira's teaching

for class 6

1. Lord MahaviraLord Mahavira
Dr.T.V.Rao MDDr.T.V.Rao MD

2. Who Is MahaviraWho Is Mahavira
MahaviraMahavira ( (
महावीर

महावीर
lit. lit. Great HeroGreat Hero) (599 – ) (599 –
527 BCE) is the name most commonly 527 BCE) is the name most commonly
used to refer to the Indian sage used to refer to the Indian sage
VardhamanaVardhamana ( (SanskritSanskrit: :
वधधमान

वधधमान
"increasing") who established what are "increasing") who established what are
today considered to be the central today considered to be the central tenetstenets
of of JainismJainism. According to Jain tradition, he . According to Jain tradition, he
was the 24th and the last was the 24th and the last TirthankaraTirthankara

3. Beginning of Lord MahaviraBeginning of Lord Mahavira
As King Siddhartha's As King Siddhartha's
son, he lived as a son, he lived as a
prince. However, prince. However,
even at that tender even at that tender
age he exhibited a age he exhibited a
virtuous nature. He virtuous nature. He
started engaging in started engaging in
meditation and meditation and
immersed himself in immersed himself in
Self-contemplationSelf-contemplation..

4. Awakening and EnlightenmentAwakening and Enlightenment
After having left behind After having left behind
the pleasures of worldly the pleasures of worldly
life, he went into the life, he went into the
state of deep silence for a state of deep silence for a
period of about twelve period of about twelve
and half years. During and half years. During
this period, he learnt to this period, he learnt to
control his feelings and control his feelings and
desires. For quite a long desires. For quite a long
time, he went without time, he went without
food. His search for truth food. His search for truth
and the real virtues of life and the real virtues of life
made people call him made people call him
Mahavira.Mahavira.

5. Jainism means Not HarmingJainism means Not Harming
He preached that truth He preached that truth
and clean living were the and clean living were the
priorities in life, as was priorities in life, as was
non-violence. Till today, non-violence. Till today,
Jains do not even harm a Jains do not even harm a
fly or a mosquito. True fly or a mosquito. True
Jains tie a cloth around Jains tie a cloth around
their nose, so as not to their nose, so as not to
breathe in or destroy breathe in or destroy
living organisms in the living organisms in the
atmosphere. atmosphere.

6. Lord Mahavira:Lord Mahavira:
Non-Violent Search For Supreme TruthNon-Violent Search For Supreme Truth

Mahavira, a great prophet Mahavira, a great prophet
and teacher, and teacher,
systematised the Jain systematised the Jain
doctrines and embodied doctrines and embodied
them in a comprehensive them in a comprehensive
constitution of the faith. constitution of the faith.
He built the edifice of He built the edifice of
Jainism by Jainism by renovationrenovation
modification and modification and
extension. Most of all, he extension. Most of all, he
infused new life and infused new life and
vitality into vitality into Arhata Arhata
tradition. tradition.

7. Accept all as ONEAccept all as ONE
Mahavira said that the Mahavira said that the
one who rejects the one who rejects the
people and the world, people and the world,
rejects his own rejects his own
existence; and the existence; and the
one who rejects his one who rejects his
own existence rejects own existence rejects
the existence of the the existence of the
world. world.

8. Mahavira Advises the Mahavira Advises the
HumanityHumanity
Do not reject the existence of the world Do not reject the existence of the world
and do not reject your existence as well. and do not reject your existence as well.
The most important principle of The most important principle of
environment is that you are not the only environment is that you are not the only
element. When you do something for element. When you do something for
yourself you must know your action/s will yourself you must know your action/s will
impact the entire world." So what can an impact the entire world." So what can an
individual do? How do his actions affect individual do? How do his actions affect
the rest of the world? the rest of the world?

9. Have CompassionHave Compassion
Live and let live. Live and let live.
Love all Serve all.
‑
Love all Serve all.
‑
Where there is Where there is
Love there is Life.Love there is Life.
Violence is SuicideViolence is Suicide
Have compassion Have compassion
towards all living towards all living
beings. Hatred beings. Hatred
leads destructionleads destruction

10. Non violence Highest ReligionNon violence Highest Religion
Silence and Self Silence and Self
control is control is
nonviolence
‑
nonviolence
‑

Respect for all living Respect for all living
beings is beings is
nonviolence.
‑
nonviolence.
‑
Nonviolence is the
‑
Nonviolence is the
‑
highest religion.highest religion.

11. Who is a Worldly ManWho is a Worldly Man
A man is seated on A man is seated on
top of a tree in the top of a tree in the
midst of a burning midst of a burning
forest. He sees all forest. He sees all
living beings perish. living beings perish.
But he doesn't realize But he doesn't realize
that the same fate is that the same fate is
soon to overtake him soon to overtake him
also. also. That man is foolThat man is fool. .

12. Why man is UnhappyWhy man is Unhappy
All human beings All human beings
are miserable are miserable
because of their because of their
own own ignorance,ignorance,
and they and they
themselves can be themselves can be
happy by acquiring happy by acquiring
proper knowledge. proper knowledge.

13. Have compassion to Co - HumansHave compassion to Co - Humans
Have compassion Have compassion
towards all living towards all living
beings. Hatred leads beings. Hatred leads
destruction destruction
Just I dislike pain, so Just I dislike pain, so
all other beings dislike all other beings dislike
pain. pain.
Aim to eliminate Aim to eliminate
suffering in the worldsuffering in the world

14. AttainAttain God HoodGod Hood
God is neither the God is neither the
creator nor the creator nor the
destructor of the destructor of the
universe. He is merely universe. He is merely
a silent observer and a silent observer and
omniscient.omniscient.
Know thyself, Know thyself,
recognize thyself, be recognize thyself, be
immersed by thyself
‑
immersed by thyself
‑
you will attain you will attain
Godhood.Godhood.

15. The Jain Theory on The Jain Theory on
RelationshipsRelationships
The same man is The same man is
regarded regarded
simultaneously as son, simultaneously as son,
father, son-in-law, father, son-in-law,
father-in-law, father-in-law,
nephew, uncle, nephew, uncle,
brother, cousin, brother, cousin,
husband and so on; husband and so on;
yet there is no yet there is no
contradiction owing to contradiction owing to
an understood an understood
relationshiprelationship
which is termed in which is termed in
Jainism as Jainism as syadvadasyadvada

16. Mere reading scriptures do not Mere reading scriptures do not
HelpHelp
Just as a millions of Just as a millions of
lamps are of no use lamps are of no use
to a blind person, to a blind person,
study of numerous study of numerous
scriptures does not scriptures does not
do any good to a do any good to a
person without person without
proper conductproper conduct

17. What is True RenunciationsWhat is True Renunciations
True renunciation True renunciation
consists in consists in
developing developing
indifference indifference
towards the world, towards the world,
the body and the the body and the
enjoyment.enjoyment.

18. What are the EvilsWhat are the Evils
Anger causes Anger causes
degradation of soul. degradation of soul.
Pride leads to a low Pride leads to a low
state of existence. state of existence.
Deceit is an Deceit is an
impediment impediment
(hindrance) to (hindrance) to
progress towards progress towards
better state of better state of
existence. Greed existence. Greed
spoils both, the spoils both, the
present and the future present and the future
lives. lives.

19. Greed destroys Human NatureGreed destroys Human Nature
Anger spoils good Anger spoils good
relations, pride relations, pride
destroys humility, destroys humility,
deceit is detrimental deceit is detrimental
to friendship, while to friendship, while
greed destroys greed destroys
everythingeverything.  . 

20. Who is a Free ManWho is a Free Man
A person who is free from A person who is free from
delusion (who delusion (who
understands reality), has understands reality), has
no misery. A person who no misery. A person who
is without any longing is without any longing
has no delusion. A person has no delusion. A person
without greed has no without greed has no
longing. A person who longing. A person who
does not have does not have
possessions has no possessions has no
greed. greed.

21. Navakär MantraNavakär Mantra
The Navakär Mantra The Navakär Mantra
contains the foremost contains the foremost
message of Jainism. message of Jainism.
The message is very The message is very
clear. If we want to clear. If we want to
be liberated from the be liberated from the
cycle of life and cycle of life and
death, we need to death, we need to
renounce worldly renounce worldly
affairs by becoming a affairs by becoming a
monk or a nun. monk or a nun.

22. Jainism leads to peace and Jainism leads to peace and
puritypurity
Three Jewels of Three Jewels of
Right Faith, Right Faith,
Right Knowledge Right Knowledge
& &
Right Conduct Right Conduct
are the path are the path
leading to peace leading to peace
and purity and purity
Jainism Jainism

23. Lord Mahavira becomes Lord Mahavira becomes
ImmortalImmortal
He died in 527 BC at He died in 527 BC at
Parapuri in Bihar, and Parapuri in Bihar, and
left behind a legacy of left behind a legacy of
thought and some thought and some
beautiful temples like beautiful temples like
the Dilwara in Mt. the Dilwara in Mt.
Abu, Rajasthan and Abu, Rajasthan and
Shravanbelagola in Shravanbelagola in
Karnataka.Karnataka.    

24. Attains NirvanaAttains Nirvana
Around Around 500 BC500 BC, Lord , Lord
MahaviraMahavira, the last of the , the last of the
24 24 TirthankaraTirthankaras breathed s breathed
his last here. This is the his last here. This is the
place where Lord place where Lord
Mahavira achieved Mahavira achieved
MokshaMoksha or or NirvanaNirvana
(Salvation from the (Salvation from the
endless cycle of life and endless cycle of life and
death). He was cremated death). He was cremated
at Pawapuri. at Pawapuri.

25. Jainism influences Indian Jainism influences Indian
CultureCulture
Although ancient Jain Although ancient Jain
scientific thought is scientific thought is
not so well known, it not so well known, it
is a rich source of is a rich source of
Indian scientific Indian scientific
heritage. The grand heritage. The grand
Jain spiritual tradition Jain spiritual tradition
and its masters and its masters
broadly influenced broadly influenced
Indian thought and Indian thought and
rationality in three key rationality in three key
areas: areas:
  

26. Mark Twain Praises Indian Mark Twain Praises Indian
TraditionsTraditions
India is the cradle of the India is the cradle of the
human race, the human race, the
birthplace of human birthplace of human
speech, the mother of speech, the mother of
history, grandmother of history, grandmother of
legend, and great grand legend, and great grand
mother of tradition. Our mother of tradition. Our
most valuable and most most valuable and most
instructive materials in instructive materials in
the the history of man are history of man are
treasured up in India treasured up in India
only." only."

27. Worshipping at Worshipping at
ShravanbelagolaShravanbelagola

28. Mahavir Jayanti CelebrationMahavir Jayanti Celebration
Mahavir Jayanti has a lot of religious Mahavir Jayanti has a lot of religious
significance for people belonging to the significance for people belonging to the
Jain religion. It is observed to celebrate Jain religion. It is observed to celebrate
the birthday of the great Lord Mahavira, the birthday of the great Lord Mahavira,
who According to the Gregorian calendar, who According to the Gregorian calendar,
the Mahavir Jayanti festival falls during the the Mahavir Jayanti festival falls during the
period between March and April. As a part period between March and April. As a part
of Mahavir Jayanthi celebrations, the Jain of Mahavir Jayanthi celebrations, the Jain
temples are beautifully adorned with flags. temples are beautifully adorned with flags.

29. Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi on on Lord MahavirLord Mahavir
I say with conviction that I say with conviction that
the doctrine for which the the doctrine for which the
name of Lord Mahavir is name of Lord Mahavir is
glorified nowadays is the glorified nowadays is the
doctrine of Ahimsa. If doctrine of Ahimsa. If
anyone has practiced to anyone has practiced to
the fullest extent and has the fullest extent and has
propagated most the propagated most the
doctrine of Ahimsa, it doctrine of Ahimsa, it
was was Lord MahaviraLord Mahavira."."

30. Dr. Rabindranath Tagore on Dr. Rabindranath Tagore on
MahaviraMahavira
MahaviraMahavira proclaimed in proclaimed in
India that religion is a India that religion is a
reality and not a mere reality and not a mere
social convention. It is social convention. It is
really true that salvation really true that salvation
can not be had by merely can not be had by merely
observing external observing external
ceremonies. Religion ceremonies. Religion
cannot make any cannot make any
difference between man difference between man
and man."and man."

31. Lokamanya Bala Gangadhar Lokamanya Bala Gangadhar
TilakTilak on Mahavira on Mahavira
We learn from We learn from
scriptures (Sashtras) scriptures (Sashtras)
and commentaries and commentaries
that that JainismJainism is is
existing from existing from
beginning less time. beginning less time.
This fact is This fact is
indisputable and free indisputable and free
from difference of from difference of
opinion. There is opinion. There is
much historical much historical
evidence on this evidence on this

32. Dr. S. RadhakrishnanDr. S. Radhakrishnan on Lord on Lord
MahavirMahavir
There is nothing There is nothing
wonderful in my wonderful in my
saying that saying that
Jainism was in Jainism was in
existence long existence long
before the before the
VedasVedas were were
composed."composed."

33. Mahavira laid down five ways Mahavira laid down five ways
to get rid of wheel of lifeto get rid of wheel of life: :
Do not destroy life Do not destroy life
Speak the truthSpeak the truth
Be celibate Be celibate
Own nothingOwn nothing
Accept nothing that is not Accept nothing that is not
freely givenfreely given

34. Mahavira preached Mahavira preached
SalvationSalvation
He preached atheism or the absence of god. He preached atheism or the absence of god.
Jainism also believes that one can achieve Jainism also believes that one can achieve
salvation (freedom from wheel of life i.e. salvation (freedom from wheel of life i.e.
rebirth). Jains use the word Karma to mean a rebirth). Jains use the word Karma to mean a
substance that binds the soul to physical world. substance that binds the soul to physical world.
By causing sins you keep accumulating Karma By causing sins you keep accumulating Karma
whereas meditation and fasting burns the whereas meditation and fasting burns the
Karma. Karma. One can get freedom from rebirth One can get freedom from rebirth
(Salvation) only after burning the Karma (Salvation) only after burning the Karma
accumulated in past lives. accumulated in past lives.

35. Lord Mahavir attains Pure BlissLord Mahavir attains Pure Bliss
At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord At the age of 72 (527 B.C.), Lord
Mahavir died and his purified soul Mahavir died and his purified soul
left the body and achieved left the body and achieved
complete liberationcomplete liberation. He . He
became a Siddha, a pure became a Siddha, a pure
consciousness, a liberated soul, consciousness, a liberated soul,
living for ever in a state of living for ever in a state of
complete blisscomplete bliss..

36. Lord Mahavira’s Lord Mahavira’s
Teachings inspire theTeachings inspire the
Humanity for SalvationHumanity for Salvation. .
Dr.T.V.Rao MDDr.T.V.Rao MD
EmailEmail
[email protected]@gmail.com