Ep-1: Bio-Data of Tirthankar Bhagavan Mahavira
NOTE: All essential facts in the life of Bhagavan Mahavira, the founder of the Tirtha (a holy place) for the good of all, right from the previous births are concisely presented here.
DETAILS ABOUT THE (1) DESCENT AND THE (2) BIRTH THE TWO AUSPICIOUS OCCASIONS AND RELATED DETAILS:
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main important births | 27 (according to the Shvetambara tradition) |
| 2 | How much knowledge gained by listening in the previous birth was brought forward? | As much as 11 Anga-Agama scriptures |
| 3 | What made him Tirthamkar? | The hardest practice of twenty types of penances known as 'Sthanka' with a spirit of universal welfare |
| 4 | Where was he in the previous birth? | In the tenth divine world Vaimanika Kalpa named 10th Pranata |
| 5 | What was the span of life in the previous birth? | As much as twenty Sagaro-pams (a measure of time) |
| 6 | The place of descent | Brahmin Kunda Gam Nagara |
| 7 | The first mother who conceived him | Devananda, the Brahmin woman |
| 8 | The name of the first father | Rishabhadatta Brahmin |
| 9 | How many dreams did Devananda have? | 14. Lion, etc. |
| 10 | Who predicted the result of the dreams? | Her husband Rishabhadatta |
| 11 | The month and date of descent (The day of conception) | - According to Jain calendar it was the month of Asha- dha (in monsoon) and the 6th day of the bright half of the month. |
| 12 | The constellation at the time of descent | - Uttara falguni according to Jain calendar |
| 13 | The zodiac of descent | Virgo |
| 14 | The time of descent | Midnight |
| 15 | When was the foetus transplanted? | On the 83rd day after descent (according to the Shvetambara tradition) |
| 16 | Who removed the foetus? | A demi-god named Harinaigameshi at the command of Indra,the ruler of the heaven |
| 17 | Why was the foetus removed? | Because the parents belonged to the Brahmin caste |
| 18 | Where was the foetus implanted? | In the womb of Queen Trishala of the Kshatriya caste (Protectors' class) |
| 19 | How long did Devananda bear the foetus? | 82 days |
| 20 | What was the name of the second mother who bore the foetus? | Queen Trishala of the Kshatriya caste |
| 21 | The name of the second father | King Siddhartha |
| 22 | Did mother Trishala also get 14 dreams? | Yes, same way as Devananda got |
| 23 | Who predicted the result of the dreams? | Her husband Siddhartha and the dream predictors |
| 24 | Where was the residence of Trishala | Kshatriyakund Gam Nagar |
| 25 | Where was the residence of Siddhartha | Kshatriyakund Gam Nagar |
| 26 | How long did Trishala carry Mahavira? | Six months, fifteen and a half days |
| 27 | What was the total period of pregnancy of the two women? | Nine months, seven and a half days |
| 28 | The month and the date of birth | The month of Chaitra according to Jaina calendar and the day was the thirteenth day of the bright half the month. |
| 29 | The time of birth | Midnight |
| 30 | The constellation of birth | Uttara falguni |
| 31 | The zodiac of birth | Virgo |
| 32 | In which cycle (Ara) of time was he born? | In the fourth cycle of time |
| 33 | How much time was yet to be completed for the fourth cycle at the time of his birth? | Seventy five years, 8 and a half months |
| 36 | The city of birth | Kshatriyakund Gam Nagar |
| 37 | The name of Gotra i.e. the ancestral head of the clan. | Kashyapa |
| 38 | The name of the caste | Gnatakshatriya |
| 39 | The name of the clan | Gnatakula |
| 40 | The name of the genealogy | Gnatavansha |
| 41 | Why was he called Vardhamana? | Because after his being conceived there was all-round prosperity |
| 42 | Why was he called Mahavira? | As he showed bravery in defeating a god while playing under the Amalaki tree tree So, gods gave him this name (according to one opinion) |
| 43 | What was his mark of identification? | The shape of a lion mark on the thigh |
| 44 | How many were the auspicious signs on his body? | 1008 |
| 45 | What were the branches of learning over which he had mastery at the time of birth and during the life of the householder? | The three branches of learning were Mati Gnana, Shruta Gnana and Avadhi Gnana |
| 46 | Complexion | Golden yellow |
| 47 | Beauty | Most beautiful |
| 48 | How much physical power? | Infinite |
| 49 | The constitution of joint bones | Vajrarishabhanaracha Extremely strong |
| 50 | Sansthana (The form of the body) | Most beautiful because of square shape. (Not too long and not too broad) |
| 51 | Height from the fingers of the legs | Seven arm-length |
| 52 | Length from the fingers of the arms | 120 Angula (about 60 inches - 150 cms) |
| 53 | Finger and thumb-angle | 21 degrees |
| 54 | Distinguishing feature of the head | 21 degrees |
| 55 | The Pigment of blood | White (like the milk of a cow) |
| 56 | Was he married? | Yes |
| 57 | What was the name of his wife? | Yashoda |
| 58 | Had he any children? | Yes, one daughter (Priya-darshana) |
| 59 | How long as a householder? | 30 years |
| 60 | What was his charity during a year? | 3,88,80,00,000 gold coins |
DETAILS ABOUT INITIATION
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The month and date of initiation | The month was Margashirsha according to Jain Calendar and the date was the tenth day of the dark half of the month. |
| 2 | The time of initiation | The fourth Prahara (a measure of time) of the day. |
| 3 | The constellation at the time of initiation | Uttara falguni |
| 4 | The zodiac at the time of initiation | Virgo |
| 5 | Age at the time of initiation | 30 years |
| 6 | How many are the fundamental vows at the time of initiation? | Five including non-violence, truth, etc. |
| 7 | The penance on the day of initiation | Fasting for two days |
| 8 | The name of the palanquin used during the great procession of initiation | Chandraprabha |
| 9 | Was anyone else initiated together with him? | No. (He was alone to be initiated) |
| 10 | In which city was he initiated? | At Kshatriyakunda Gam Nagara |
| 11 | In which forest was he initiated? | In Gnatkhandvana of Kunda Gam |
| 12 | Under which tree was he initiated? | Under the Ashoka tree |
| 13 | How did he pluck off the hair? | By using the fist five times |
| 14 | What knowledge did he get after taking the oath? | The knowledge that transcends the mind |
DETAILS ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How long did he wear the divine scarf? | For one year and one month |
| 2 | What diet was used to break the first fast? | Khir - a milk preparation with rice |
| 3 | When did he break the fast? | On the day next to the day of initiation |
| 4 | Where did he break the first fast? | At Kollag Sannivesha |
| 5 | Who gave him food for breaking the fast and where? | A Brahmin named Bahula at his residence |
| 6 | What utensil was used for the milk-soup? | The utensil was provided by the householder |
| 7 | What was the duration of the most rigorous penance? | It was the fasting for six months |
| 8 | Had he practised Abhi-graha? | In various ways |
| 9 | What was the total duration of penance? | Total fasting for 4166 days |
| 10 | How many were the days of breaking the fast during the fasting period of more than twelve and a half years? | 349 days |
| 11 | Where did he carry on his spiritual practices? | In eastern and northern India |
| 12 | Duration of relaxation during the spiritual practices of more than twelve and a half years. | For 48 minutes (when he slept) |
| 13 | Had he undergone ordeals? | Yes, many |
| 14 | Who harassed him? | Men, gods, and animals |
| 15 | What posture did he adopt for spiritual practice? | Mostly Kayotsarga posture was adopted in Jina Mudra while standing |
| 16 | What were the techniques of spiritual practices? | Self-control, Penance, meditation, and observance of silence |
THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF ABSOLUTEE ENLIGHTENMENT
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Absolute enlightenment month and date | According to Indian calendar the month of Vaishakha and the tenth day of the bright half of the month |
| 2 | The name of the day | Suvrata (classical name) |
| 3 | The name of the auspicious time | Vijaya (classical name) |
| 4 | The time of absolute enlightenment | The fourth part of the day evening |
| 5 | The zodiac at the time of absolute enlightenment | Virgo |
| 6 | Age at the time of absolute enlightenment | 43 years |
| 7 | The place of absolute enlightenment | A field outside the town - Jrimbhika, on the bank of the river Rujuvalika (Bihar State) |
| 8 | Were any disciples present at the time of absolute enlightenment? | NO |
| 9 | Was he wearing any dress at that time? | NO |
| 10 | Had he any articles with him? | No, being completely non-possessive |
| 11 | Did he preach anything during the period of spiritual practice? | Not by way of any special preaching but he would talk |
| 12 | Under which tree did he receive absolute enlightenment? | Under the Sala (Shala tree) (Shorea Robusta) |
| 13 | What was his posture at the time of absolute enlightenment? | Utkatuka or Godohika (Like that of a man milking the cow) |
| 14 | What was the penance at the time of absolute enlightenment? | Fasting for two days (Chhattha) |
| 15 | How many are the divine attributes? | Thirty four |
| 16 | How many are the qualities of speech? | Thirty five |
| 17 | How many are the divine symbols of a Tirthankara in Samovasarana? | Eight |
| 18 | When was the first auditorium built and the first discourse delivered? | The tenth day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakha according to Indian calendar |
FORMATION OF RELIGIOUS DISCIPLINE
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | When was the religious discipline formed? | On the next day after attainment of absolute enlightenment at the second religious auditorium |
| 2 | The month and date of the formation of religious discipline. | According to Indian calendar it was the month of Vaishakha and the day was eleventh in the bright half of the month |
| 3 | When will this religious discipline end? | On the last day of the fifth cycle of time (Ara), after the two Praharas of the day |
| 4 | The name of the first Ganadhara (spiritual teacher) | Indrabhuti |
| 5 | The name of the first female ascetic | Chandanbala |
| 6 | The name of the first householder follower | Shankha |
| 7 | The name of the first female householder follower | Sulasa |
| 8 | The most prominent royal devotee | Shrenika, the ruler of the state of Magadha |
| 9 | The name of the demigod of the discipline | Matanga |
| 10 | The name of the demigod-dess of the discipline | Siddhayika |
THE INNER CIRCLE OF BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The number of groups | Nine |
| 2 | The number of the heads of the groups | Eleven |
| 3 | The number of ascetics | Fourteen thousand (initiated by himself) |
| 4 | The number of female ascetics | Thirty-six thousand (initiated by himself) |
| 5 | The number of householders who were followers | One lac fifty-nine thousand (twelve of whom observed all the vows) |
| 6 | The number of female householders | Three lac eighteen thousand (twelve of whom observed all the vows) while followers both male as well as female were millions |
| 7 | The number of ancient ascetics who had absolute knowledge | Seven hundred |
| 8 | The number of ascetics with transcendental knowledge | Five hundred |
| 9 | The ascetics who had the faculty of extra-sensory perception | Thirteen hundred |
| 10 | The number of ascetics who could remember fourteen parvas (scriptures) | Three hundred |
| 11 | The number of ascetics who could assume different types of bodies and forms | Seven hundred |
| 12 | The number of ascetics who were best logicians | Four hundred |
| 13 | Ordinary ascetics | Ten thousand eighty-nine |
| 14 | Sundry ascetics | Fourteen thousand |
| 15 | Pratyeka Buddha ascetics who were initiated by others | Fourteen thousand |
| 16 | The ascetics who were destined to go to Anuttara Vimana (highest abode of gods) | Eight hundred |
DETAILS ABOUT PHYSICAL REDEMPTION OF THE BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA (NIRVANA MOKSHA)
| No. | Details | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The month and date of mortal redemption | The last day of the dark half of the month Kartika according to Jain calendar. In Hindu calendar, it is the month of Ashvin. |
| 2 | The constellation at the time of redemption | Swati (Arcturus) |
| 3 | The zodiac at the time of redemption | Tula (Libra) |
| 4 | Age at the time of redemption | 72 years |
| 5 | What was the name of the year at the time of redemption? | Second year named Chandra (the moon) |
| 6 | The name of the month of redemption | Preetivardhana (a classical name) |
| 7 | The name of the fortnight of redemption | Nandivardhana (a classical name) |
| 8 | The name of the day of redemption | Agniveshya or Upashama (a classical name) |
| 9 | The name of the night of redemption | Devananda or Nirati (a classical name) |
| 10 | What was the 'Lava' (a particular time) of redemption? | Archa (a classical name) |
| 11 | What was the 'Prana' (the vital energy) at the time of redemption? | Muhurta (a classical name) |
| 12 | What was the 'Stoka' (a short duration of time) at the time of redemption? | Siddha (a classical name) |
| 13 | What was the 'Karana' (a particular auspicious time) at the time of redemption? | Naga (the third Karana) (a classical name) |
| 14 | What was the Muhurta (an auspicious astral conjunction) at the time of redemption? | Sarvarthasiddha (of the later night) (a classical name) |
| 15 | What was the place of the time of redemption? | Pava Madhyama Apapapuri (in ancient times it was near Magadha and in the present state of Bihar) |
| 16 | What was the place at the time of redemption? | The clerical office of king Hastipala |
| 17 | How much time did he devote for religious discourse at the time of redemption? | Continuously for 48 hours |
| 18 | What was the posture at the time of redemption? | Paryankasana (Cot posture) or Padmasana (Lotus posture) |
| 19 | What was the measure of his spirit after liberation? | Two-third of the physical body |
| 20 | The penance at the time of redemption? | Two continuous fasts (Chhattha) |
| 21 | Was there redemption of anyone simultaneously? | No |
| 22 | What was the time of redemption? | Later part of the night |
| 23 | In which cycle of time he got redemption? | At the end of the fourth cycle of time |
| 24 | What time was left for the fourth cycle of time at the redemption? | Three years eight and a half months |
| 25 | How far the tradition of such redemption continued? | Up to the third succession of disciple to disciple |
| 26 | When was the system of redemption started during his discipline? | Four years after he attained absolute enlightenment |
MISCELLANEOUS NOTEWORTHY FACTS
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Where does he deliver his religious discourse? | In the divine auditorium created by gods or on a golden lotus |
| 2 | Is the religious discourse delivered daily? | Yes |
| 3 | How many times and how long are the religious discourses delivered daily? | In the morning and in the afternoon (three hours each time i.e., six hours in all) |
| 4 | What is the medium of religious discourse? | In Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit, the language of the masses |
| 5 | In which language did the spiritual (Ganadharas) teachers compose the scriptures? | Mostly in Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit |
| 6 | What is the future for one who offers food to Tirthankara Mahavira for breaking the fast after his first penance? | In the first or third birth he ceases to have further births |
| 7 | What are the five divine incidents at the time of giving food? | 1. Dress, 2. Shower of fragrant water, 3. Shower of 12 and a half lac (or crore) of gold coins, 4. Announcement of "what a great alms!" and 5. The sound of Dundubhi, a musical instrument |
| 8 | How many persons were destined to be future Tirthankaras under his discipline? | Nine including males and females |
| 9 | Who was the Rudra in his discipline? | Satyaki |
| 10 | Which system of philosophy was created under his discipline? | Vaisheshika philosophy |
| 11 | How many miracles happened in his life? | Five (transfer of fetus, the failure of the first religious discourse, etc.) |
| 12 | How many are the fundamental vows of an ascetic? | Five |
| 13 | How many are the subtle vows of the followers of Jainism? (Shravaka) | Twelve |
| 14 | How many are the types of conduct? | Five |
| 15 | How many are the fundamental elements? | Nine or three |
| 16 | How many are the types of "Samayika" vows? | Four |
| 17 | How many are the types of Pratikramana? | Five |
| 18 | How many times should the six essential Pratikramana be practiced? | Regularly every morning and evening |
| 19 | How many types of practices for self-control are there? | Seventeen |
| 20 | Is it easy or difficult to follow good conduct? | Very difficult |
| 21 | What type of dress should the ascetics wear? | Colourless, white, and of ordinary quality |
| 22 | How was the temperament of contemporary people? | Crooked and orthodox, no modesty and less intellectual achievement |
| 23 | Which were the areas toured by Bhagavan Mahavira? | Mostly, in eastern and northern India besides once up to western India |
| 24 | How many kings were devoted to him? | Numerous kings |
THE CONCISE DIVISION OF THE LIFE SPAN OF BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRA
| Sr no. | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duration as householder | 30 years |
| 2 | Life after initiation | 42 years (and the same number of monsoon halts) |
| 3 | Life incognito | 12 years, 5 days |
| 4 | Life after absolute enlightenment | 29 years, 5 months |
| 5 | Total life-span | Complete 72 years (according to the ancient Jain calendar) |