Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism, also known as Vardhamana. He was the spiritual heir of Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. He lived at the same time as Lord Buddha. He preached his doctrine and teachings in order to achieve Kevala Jnana. He was responsible for the current form of Jainism. Mahavira obtained Kevala Jnana after twelve and a half years of intensive meditation and severe austerities. This article will explain to you the Doctrine & Teachings of Mahavira, which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

Mahavira

• Lord Mahavir was the Jain religion's twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara during this time period.
• According to Jain philosophy, all the Tirthankaras were human beings, but they achieved perfection, or enlightenment, via meditation and self-realization. They are the Jains' Gods.
• In Jainism, there is no idea of God as the universe's creator, defender, or destroyer.
• In Jainism, the notion of God reincarnating as a human person to kill the demons is also rejected.
• Mahavir emphasised that every living being (soul) has been enslaved by karmic atoms from eternity because of its ignorance.
• Then, as a result of our good or bad behaviours, these karmic atoms build over time.
• The soul is conditioned to seek pleasure in materialistic objects and possessions as a result of karma.
• Self-centred aggressive thoughts, behaviours, wrath, hatred, greed, and other vices are all founded in this. As a consequence, more karmas are accumulated.

Doctrine & Teachings of Mahavira

• The Teachings of Lord Mahavir were collected orally in Agam Sutras by his direct pupils.
• The Agam Sutras were passed down orally from generation to generation. Many of the Agam Sutras have been lost or destroyed over time, and some have been amended.
• The Agam Sutras were written down on Tadpatras around a thousand years later (leafy paper that was used in those days to preserve records for future references).
• These Sutras have been acknowledged as legitimate renditions of His teachings by Swetambar Jains, but not by Digambar Jains.
• The achievement of moksha, or the freedom of the soul from earthly bonds, is the primary goal of Mahavira's teaching.
• Man's personality, according to Jainism, is made up of both material and spiritual natures.
• The former is transient, but the latter is everlasting and progressive. The soul is enslaved as a result of Karma.

Triratna

• Triratna refers to the three essential components, or three jewels, that together comprise the path to liberation, or 'Moksha Marga.'
• One of the three cannot exist without the others, and spiritual liberation necessitates the participation of all three.
  • Right Faith (Samyak Darshan)
  • Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)
  • Right Action (Samyak Charitra)

• These three gems are arranged in this precise order to form the Ratnatraya, or trinity.
• Right faith requires recognising reality's truth, right knowledge entails removing questions, and right conduct entails living in such a way that kevala is achieved.
• Each of these precious stones is dependent on the other two. They can't seem to get into the habit of going to kevala on their own.
• Right Faith or Perception opens a person's eyes to reality or truth, while Right Knowledge inspires him to act, and Right Conduct leads to freedom.

Five Doctrines of Jainism

• Since the ultimate objective of life is salvation, one must avoid all forms of negative behaviours or karmas.
• The five main vows taken by Jain monks and nuns are known as Mahavrata.
• The smaller vows taken by Jain ordinary people are known as anuvrata. These are a more relaxed version of the classic vows.
• Mahavira established an ethical rule for both householders and monks.
  • Ahimsa: Non-injury to living being
  • Satya: Do not speak a lie
  • Asteya: Do not steal
  • Aparigraha: Do not acquire property
  • Brahmacharya: Observe continence
• Ahimsa is commonly translated as "nonviolence," but its meaning is far broader; it is more than just avoiding doing violence, it is more than an attitude, it is a way of life.
• For modern Jains, the notion also encompasses the good aspects of striving for justice, peace, emancipation, and freedom, as long as this is done without resorting to violence.
• Mahatma Gandhi was a well-known proponent of Ahimsa, which guided his satyagraha (passive resistance) philosophy.
• The satya vow necessitates entire honesty, not just in terms of not uttering lies, but also in terms of constantly saying the truth.
• The Asteya - non-stealing vow requires complete honesty in behaviour; not only must you not steal, but you must also not acquire things through unethical means.
• Jains believe that the more worldly money a person has, the more miserable he will be and the more likely he would commit sin, both physically and psychologically, according to Aparigraha (non-acquisition).
• Chaste life is vital to Jains in Brahmacarya (chaste living) because sexual indulgence obstructs the path to freedom.
• Sexual desire is so strong that it may overpower rational thought and ethically correct behaviour, resulting in two types of terrible karma.

Concept of God

• The universe and all of its substances or phenomena, according to Jainism, are everlasting.
• In terms of time, it has no beginning or end. The universe operates according to its own set of cosmic rules.
• All chemicals alter or modify their forms on a regular basis. Nothing in the cosmos can be destroyed or produced.
• There is no requirement for someone to originate or govern the universe's affairs.
• As a result, Jainism rejects God as the universe's creator, survivor, and destroyer.
• Jainism, on the other hand, believes in God, but not as a creator, but as a flawless entity.
• A freed soul is one who has destroyed all of his karmas. In Moksha, he lives eternally in a perfect joyful condition.
• Infinite knowledge, boundless vision, endless power, and infinite happiness are all available to the emancipated spirit. The Jain faith considers this living entity to be a God.
• Every living thing has the ability to become God.
• As a result, Jains do not worship a single God, but rather a plethora of Jain Gods, whose number continues to grow as more sentient beings achieve emancipation.

Anekantavada doctrine

• In Jainism, anekantavada is the ontological notion that any entity is both enduring and changing at the same time, and that this change is both continual and inevitable.
• All beings, according to the anekantavada philosophy, have three aspects: substance (dravya), quality (guna), and mode (paryaya).
• Dravya serves as a foundation for a variety of gunas, each of which is undergoing ongoing metamorphosis or modification.
• As a result, each entity has both a permanent nature and traits that are constantly changing.

Syadvada

• Syadvada is the idea in Jaina metaphysics that all judgements are conditional, valid only under specific situations, circumstances, or senses, as indicated by the term syat ("may be").
• There are an unlimited amount of ways to look at something (called naya).
• The term 'Syadvada' literally means' method of analysing various probability.'
• Anekantavada is the knowledge of all different but opposed characteristics, whereas Syadvada is a process of the relative description of a specific attribute of an item or an event.

Rebirth and Realms

• Mahavira's main teachings are rebirth and realms of life. Mahavira thought that life existed in a variety of forms, including animals, plants, insects, bodies of water, fire, and wind, according to the Acaranga Sutra.
• He taught that a monk should never touch or disturb any of them (even plants), and that he should never swim, ignite (or extinguish) a fire, or wave his arms in the air since these activities may harm other creatures dwelling in those forms of matter.
• Mahavira taught that existence is cyclic, and that the soul is reincarnated in one of the trilok — the heavenly, hellish, or earthy realms of existence and suffering – following death.
• Humans are reincarnated on earth or in a heavenly realm as a person, animal, element, microorganism, or other form, based on their karma (actions).

Doctrine & Teachings of Mahavira - Significance

• Mahavir made religion simple and natural, devoid of complicated rituals. His teachings mirrored the soul's inner beauty and harmony.
• Mahavir preached the notion of human life's superiority and emphasised the significance of a positive outlook on life.
• Mahavir's nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) teachings are filled with global compassion.
• "A living body is not only an integration of limbs and flesh," Mahavir explained, "but it is the home of the soul, capable of perfect perception (Anant darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant jnana), perfect strength (Anant virya), and perfect pleasure" (Anant sukha).
• Mahavir's teaching portrays the living being's independence and spiritual bliss.
• Mahavir stressed that all living beings are equal, regardless of their size, shape, or form, or their spiritual development or lack thereof, and that we should love and respect them.
• He proclaimed the gospel of global love in this manner.
• Mahavir rejected the idea of God as the universe's creator, defender, and destroyer.
• He also condemned the worship of gods and goddesses for the sake of gaining financial wealth and personal gain.

Conclusion

Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism. Mahavir emphasized that due to its ignorance, every living being (soul) has been imprisoned by karmic atoms since the beginning of time. Lord Mahavir's teachings were recorded orally in Agam Sutras by his direct pupils. The major purpose of Mahavira's teaching is to acquire moksha, or the liberation of the soul from earthly constraints.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the central doctrine of Mahavira’s teachings in Jainism?

A) Karma
B) Ahimsa
C) Moksha
D) Anekantavada

2. Which principle of Jainism encourages understanding reality from multiple perspectives?

A) Ahimsa
B) Satya
C) Anekantavada
D) Aparigraha

3. What is the ultimate goal of Jainism according to Mahavira's teachings?

A) Wealth accumulation
B) Rebirth in a higher form
C) Moksha (liberation)
D) Attaining power

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the Five Vows in Jainism?

A) Ahimsa
B) Satya
C) Asteya
D) Dhyana

5. In Jainism, what is karma viewed as?

A) A divine reward system
B) A material substance that binds the soul
C) A moral code
D) A form of punishment

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of Ahimsa in Mahavira’s teachings and its relevance in modern society.

Answer: Ahimsa, or non-violence, is the core of Mahavira’s teachings in Jainism. Mahavira believed that all living beings possess a soul, and harming any being accumulates negative karma, hindering spiritual progress. By practicing Ahimsa in thought, word, and action, one can purify the soul and move closer to moksha.

In modern society, Ahimsa remains highly relevant. It encourages compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence, inspired by Jainism, played a significant role in India's freedom movement and continues to influence social and political movements advocating for non-violent resistance across the world.

Q2: Analyze the concept of Anekantavada and its importance in fostering tolerance and understanding in a pluralistic society.

Answer: Anekantavada, the Jain doctrine of multiple perspectives, teaches that reality is complex and can be understood from different viewpoints. Mahavira emphasized that no single perspective could encompass the whole truth. This principle encourages intellectual humility and tolerance, as it recognizes the validity of differing viewpoints.

In today’s increasingly pluralistic world, Anekantavada is important for fostering tolerance, promoting dialogue, and resolving conflicts. It teaches that individuals should be open to understanding other perspectives, thus contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Q3: Evaluate the role of Mahavira’s teachings on Aparigraha (non-attachment) in promoting sustainability and environmental conservation.

Answer: Mahavira's teachings on Aparigraha, or non-attachment, advocate for limiting one’s possessions and desires. This principle promotes simple living and reducing materialism, which aligns closely with modern concerns about sustainability and environmental conservation.

In the context of today’s environmental challenges, Aparigraha encourages individuals and societies to adopt sustainable consumption patterns and minimize resource exploitation. By limiting excess consumption and focusing on need rather than greed, this teaching offers a path toward balancing human needs with the health of the planet.

Previous Year Questions on Mahavira's Teachings

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Which of the following principles is central to the teachings of Mahavira?

A) Ahimsa
B) Bhakti
C) Yajna
D) Karma

Answer: A

Explanation: Ahimsa, or non-violence, is central to Mahavira’s teachings in Jainism. It emphasizes the avoidance of harm to all living beings in thought, word, and deed.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the relevance of Mahavira’s teachings of non-violence and truth in today’s world."

Answer: Mahavira’s teachings of non-violence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satya) are highly relevant in today’s world, where conflicts, violence, and misinformation are prevalent. Ahimsa promotes peace and compassion towards all living beings, fostering a culture of respect and harmony. Similarly, Satya emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in personal and social life. These principles provide a moral framework that can guide individuals and societies in creating a more peaceful, just, and ethical world.