Mahavir Jayanti 2024:  Today, Mahavir Jayanti, the main festival of Jainism, is being celebrated across the country. This festival is dedicated to Swami Mahavir, the last and 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. According to the beliefs of Jainism, Mahavir ji was born on the Trayodashi date of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. His birth anniversary is called Mahavir Jayanti. On this day, people of the Jain religion worship Lord Mahavir and remember the things said in his teachings. The Panchsheel principle which Lord Mahavir gave to the world continues to guide people even today. Let us tell you today how Vardhaman, born in a king's house, became the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

How did Vardhaman become Swami Mahavir?

Lord Mahavir Swami was born in 599 BC to King Siddhartha of the Vajji Republic. His mother's name was Trishala, who is also called Priyakarini. Lord Mahavir Swami was born in Kundgram, which currently falls in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. As soon as Vardhaman was born in the house of King Siddhartha, happiness and prosperity increased in the kingdom. Respect, prestige, and wealth started increasing. Therefore he was named Vardhaman.

Vardhaman was courageous from the beginning. At the age of 30, Vardhaman became detached from the world and gave up the royal glory and adopted sannyasa, and set out on the path of self-welfare. He gave up royal comforts. After about 12 years of rigorous penance, he gained control over his desires and vices. During this time he attained Kaivalya knowledge. It was only after this rigorous penance that Vardhaman was called Mahavir. Swami Mahavir attained salvation from Pavapuri at the age of 72.

After attaining Kaivalya knowledge, Mahavir Swami established four pilgrimages. This includes Sadhu, Sadhvi, Shravak and Shravika. This is not a worldly pilgrimage but a principle. In this, the principles of Jainism show the way to make one's soul a pilgrimage site by following truth, non-violence, non-conceit, and celibacy,

What are the five principles of Swami Mahavir?
Lord Mahavir had told people five principles to achieve a prosperous life and inner peace. These are called the five principles of Mahavir. Let us tell you about these in detail.

Non-violence - The first principle of Lord Mahavir is non-violence, in this principle he has given the message to the Jains to stay away from violence in every situation. He said that one should not hurt anyone even by mistake.

Truth- The second principle of Lord Mahavir is truth. Lord Mahavir says, O man! You consider truth as the true element. The wise one who lives in the company of truth swims across death. This is the reason why he inspired people to always speak the truth.

Asteya- The third principle of Lord Mahavir is Asteya. Those who follow Asteya do not accept anything as per their wish in any form. Such people always remain restrained in life and take only what is given to them.

Celibacy- The fourth principle of Lord Mahavir is celibacy. To embrace this principle, Jain individuals need to exhibit the qualities of purity. Under which they do not participate in sexual activities.

Aparigraha – The fifth final principle is Aparigraha, this teaching combines all the previous principles. It is believed that by following Aparigraha, the consciousness of Jains awakens and they give up worldly and sensual pleasures.