There is no simple answer to the question as to why we celebrate birth anniversaries. A hundred different answers could be thrown in. But rather than getting carried away by all the hype associated with the occasion, it would be more useful to try and understand and also follow, what the individual stood for and achieved in his lifetime.
The principal Jaina festivals are all connected with the pancha kalyanks or five auspicious events in the life of each tirthankara. These mark special occasions -- garbhadharana or descent into the mother’s womb, janma or birth, diksa or renunciation, kevala jnana or attainment of omniscience and nirvana, the final emancipation of the Jina.
Jaina accounts of the birth of Mahavira tell the following story: In his previous birth he was an angel in Indra’s heaven. Since the last existence before the attainment of spiritual liberation has to be human, Mahavira was conceived and his embryo placed in the womb of Devananda, a Brahmin woman. After 82 days, it struck Indra that no tirthankara till then had ever been born in the family of a Brahmin. He then commanded Harinegamesin, one of his angels, to transplant the fetus from the womb of Devananda to that of the womb of Queen Trishala, a kshatriya and wife of King Siddharth, and to transfer Queen Trishala's fetus to Devananda's womb. This is how Mahavira came to have two mothers and a half brother.
Just before his birth, both of Mahavira’s mothers are said to have had 14 prophetic dreams -- 16 according to Digambaras -- in which they saw 14 (16) specific symbols. These, in order of appearance, were an elephant, bull, lion, Goddess Lakshmi, a garland, full moon, the sun, a flag, vase, lake, ocean, celestial chariot, jewels, smokeless fire (a pair of fish and a throne). Interpretation of these symbols by royal scholars indicate that the boy would grow up to be strong, courageous, full of virtues and one who would be a great religious leader with the potential to reform and restore order.
The basic premise of Mahavira’s teachings – and a way of saving the soul from contamination – was the doctrine of ahimsa, that is, non-violence toward any living being. His own devotion to the principle of not causing harm to others was said to be to so great that he didn’t even kick while in his mother’s womb and when he grew up he postponed his renunciation until after his parents deaths lest he cause them distress.
The Jaina way to liberation has been succinctly summarised to what are called the Ratna Treya or Three Jewels of Jainism – samyag darsana or right faith, samyag jnana or right knowledge and samyag charitra or right conduct. Right faith includes freedom from doubts and desires, and steadfastness and brotherhood. It does not mean blind faith; rather, it means correct understanding, reasoning and wisdom. Right knowledge consists of clear distinction between the self and the non self. It is clearly different from knowledge of the scriptures. It is the knowledge of things as they really are. Right conduct presupposes the attainment of right faith and knowledge and is thus a spontaneous quality. It represents the rules of moral discipline and constitutes the right activities of mind, body and speech.
Coming back to why we celebrate birth anniversaries: While using the occasion to recollect his teachings, the best tribute to Mahavira would be to try to follow his ideals to the maximum extent as that would mean promoting peace and nonviolence. Today is Mahavira Jayanti.
Source:-The Times of India
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