Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is the celebration of Lord Mahavir’s Birthday. Lord Mahavir was the 24th Tirthankar (fully enlightened being) of the current time cycle. Reminding ourselves of His teachings serves to fast track our spiritual growth. Lord Mahavir’s teachings offer a beacon of hope to us all in terms of attaining our ultimate goal, moksha.

A central tenet and key to unlocking this goal lies in adherence to one of His five Mahavrats (great vows) – Ahimsa. Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence through the mind, speech and body towards all living beings. When one practices ahimsa, a shared feeling of oneness and empathy is established with all living beings. One abides instinctively by the principle of "Live and let Live".

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, the founder of Akram Vignan, states that "Whoever desires to do so, can do it. If the goal of ahimsa is not attained in one lifetime, it will be attained in two or three lifetimes. If your goal and decision is firm and you maintain ahimsa in your awareness, then absolute ahimsa is inevitable."

He explains that "The definition of ahimsa is: to maintain the awareness to not hurt any living being, even in the slightest degree, through your mind, speech and actions. We will make spiritual progress when this principle remains firm in our conviction and awareness."

So, on this Mahavir Jayanti, let us decide to keep the strong inner intent not to hurt anyone through our mind, speech, and body even to the slightest extent. Where we have, let us ask authentically for forgiveness (pratikraman) and resolve steadfastly to be at one with all living beings on this Earth.