On the occasion of, Mahavir Jayanti lets pray to the great teacher of non-violence, truth, and humanity. Today is Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Vardhamana, lovingly know as Mahavir. He lived around 599 BC, was born in Bihar to a royal family.

In Jainism, a Tirthankara signifies the founder of a tirtha which means a fordable passage across the sea of interminable births and deaths. Mahavir's childhood name was Vardhamana. He was called Mahavir because of the acts of bravery he performed during his childhood. Mahavir was given the title Jina, which later became synonymous with Tirthankara. Jina means someone who is able to conquer attachment, pride, and greed.

Mahavir's teachings had great influence on the masses. Rabindranath Tagore famously wrote, "Mahavir proclaimed in India, the message of salvation, that religion is a reality and not a mere social convention, that salvation comes from taking refuge in the true religion and not from observing the external ceremonies of the community, that religion cannot regard any barriers between man and man as an eternal variety. Wonderous to say, this teaching rapidly overtopped the barriers of the race abiding instinct and conquered the whole country"

At the age of 30, he left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, and abandoned worldly things, including his clothes, and became a Jain monk. For the next twelve-and-a-half years, meditating day and night, he lived in various places-workshops, cremation and burial grounds, and at the foot of trees. Trying to avoid all sinful activity, he especially avoided injuring any kind of life, thus developing the doctrine of ahimsa or nonviolence. After 12 years of extreme asceticism, he attained kevala, the highest stage of perception. May the Lord bless you and your family. Have a very Happy Mahavir Jayanti!