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| Vardhaman Mahavira (BC 599-527) |
Jain mode of worship (Jainopasana) - The Marwari (money lenders) community, in worshipping the Lord, adopt a Vaishnavite slant. Idols of Vishnu, with the traditional equipment of the conch, the wheel, the mace and the lotus, are found in Jain temples. The Jains have as their Mantra:
“Namo Arihantanam
Namo Siddhanam
Namo Ayiriyanam
Namo Uvajjhayanam
Namo Loye Savva Sahunam”
(Salutations to the great heroes (Mahavira) who have conquered desire, etc. Salutations to the Siddhas (those equipped with super natural powers). Salutations to the great Masters of Spiritual Wisdom. Salutations to the great Teachers who transmit the wisdom. Salutations to the good persons of all lands).
This five-fold adoration helps remove the evil effects of all sinful acts. Experiencing the meaning of this Mantra gives one the sum of prosperity. The Jains declare that when one merges in this universal adoration, one is liberated and attains Moksha.
- “Modes of Worship”,
Sathya Sai Vahini
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| Vardhaman Mahavira in deep meditation (BC 569-557) |
Jainism, the religion that was rendered an all-India movement by Mahavira, extols Jina (the heroic conqueror of the senses), the emotions and the stratagems of the intellect. He called upon all to carry out the duties commensurate to their status and professions, with steady faith and enthusiasm. He declared that all things and beings are holy in their own right and are but pilgrims on the road to Realisation. Any injury inflicted on any of them is an intervention in that sacred journey and so has to be scrupulously avoided.
- “The Sai Religion”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 13, October 1, 1976, Prasanthi Nilayam
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| Vardhaman Mahavira addressing a congregation after Self-Realisation (BC 557) |
In Jainism also, the same truth (Swami referring to recognition of the One Divine in all beings) was taught by Mahavira. When the senses are allowed to have their way, all kinds of reactions occur. It is only when the senses are brought under unified control that the nature of Divinity can be comprehended. The eyes have the power of sight. The ears can hear.
The powers of all the sense organs; seeing, hearing, speaking, etc. are derived from the Divine. It is the Divine that enables the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the mind to think and to have various experiences. It is when all these sensory processes are brought under unified control (by the conquest of the senses) that man becomes a conqueror a ‘Jina’, as termed by the Jains. Because He had conquered his senses, the title of victor was conferred on Mahavira.
- “Develop Spiritual Oneness”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24, December 25, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam
About Vardhaman Mahavira:
Mahavira, known as Vardhaman, was born in 599 B.C. in Vaishali, Bihar to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. He is the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
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| Little Vardhamana worshipped by celestial beings on birth |
At the age of 30, he renounced worldly life and became a monk in the Jain tradition. After 12 years of severe penance, he attained Self-realisation (Keval Jnana), and spent the next 30 years preaching the message of non-violence and universal forgiveness.
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| Mahavira establishing the fourfold Jain Sangha (BC 557) |
To ensure continued propagation and practice of the Jain religion, he established the fourfold Jain Sangha consisting of householders – men and women, and the renunciants – men and women.
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| Mahavira's last sermon at Pawapuri (BC 527) |
At the age of 72, Mahavira attained liberation (Nirvana) in 527 B.C. at Pawapuri, Bihar.
Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas
OM SAI RAMJI🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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