Mahavir Jayanti 2023: Know Date, History, Teachings, Significance, Quotes, Key Facts & More

Mahavir Jayanti 2023: This is the most auspicious day for Jains and is observed by the Jain community across the world in memory of the last spiritual teacher of Jainism (Mahavir). This year it will be celebrated on April 4. On this day, a parade of the idol of Lord Mahavira is carried out, which is known as the Rath Yatra. Devotees visit Jain temples, worship Lord Mahavir's idol, read religious rhymes, and seek blessings. 

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Lord Mahavir: Life

Originally Mahavira's name was Vardhamana and he was born about 599 BC, several scholars believe this date to be as much as 100 years early that is then Mahavira probably lived at about the same time as the Buddha, whose traditional birth date has also been reassessed. Lord Mahavira i.e. Vardhamana left his home to find the truth in the world. He lived an ascetic life, wandering about, begging for food, and wearing little. After mingling with several people from different cultures and backgrounds, he learned about suffering, pain, etc. in the world. Then, he focused his efforts on fasting and meditation. Through this process he found enlightenment. He always emphasises that humans should eliminate greed and their connection to worldly possessions to end their limitless pursuit of desires. He travelled throughout South Asia to teach Jain philosophy.

Lord Mahavir: Teachings

He taught that the observance of the vow ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) is necessary to elevate the quality of life. Do you know that the teachings of Lord Mahavira were compiled by Gautama Swami (Chief disciple) and were known as Jain Agamas?

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Eight cardinal principles encompassed the spiritual philosophy of Lord Mahavira and of them three are metaphysical and five are ethical. He believed in the external existence of the Universe that it is neither created nor can be destroyed. According to him, Universe is made up of six eternal substances that are souls, space, time, material atoms, a medium of motion, and a medium of rest. These components independently change to create the multifaceted reality that mortals exist in. He also introduced the philosophy of Anekantavada (principle of non-absolutism) which refers to the pluralism of existence. The multifaceted reality is better explained with syadavad or the principle of Seven Fold predictions. 

How is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated?

On this day followers of Jainism do prayers, fast, etc. On this day basically, Holidays are popular in the eastern state of Bihar. Jains participate in several activities that allow them to bond with their family members and also show respect to Lord Mahavir like a procession, statue washing, visiting temples, donations, etc.  

Facts about Lord Mahavir

• Some believe that Lord Mahavira was also known by Tirthankara before birth.
• Lord Mahavira is also known as Vardhamana. It is said that he is called by five different names.
• When he was 30 years old, he left his kingdom and family.
• It is said that Lord Mahavira meditated for around 12 years.
• He has given five theories to live a stress-free life.
• He is the last Tirthankara of Avasarpini which represents the present time cycle. 
• According to the Kalpa Stra, Mahavira lived in Astikagrama, Champapuri, Prstichampa, Vaishali, Vanijagrama, Nalanda, Mithila, Bhadrika, Alabhika, Panitabhumi, Shravasti, and Pawapuri for the first 42 monsoons of his life.
• After achieving omniscience, he spent thirty years travelling around India lecturing on his philosophy, according to the Śvētāmbara. Nonetheless, according to the Digambara, he continued to preach to his devotees while in his Samavasarana.
• He organised his followers into a four-fold order namely, monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shravak), and laywoman (Shravika).
• Mahavira had 159,000 male lay followers and 318,000 female lay followers, according to the Kalpa Sutra, in addition to 14,000 male ascetics and 36,000 female ascetics.
• His advocacy for world peace, a better rebirth, and eventually liberty served the purposes of his spiritual ideals.

Mahavir Jayanti 2023 Images, Wishes, Quotes for Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram Status and Story

Let's scroll through some tweets to know how World is celebrating Mahavir Jayanti:

Today is a special day, when we recall the noble teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir. He showed the way to build a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous society. Inspired by him, may we always serve others and also bring a positive difference in the lives of the poor and downtrodden. pic.twitter.com/OKZ5yqZmyo

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2023

Greetings to fellow citizens on Mahavir Jayanti.

The three A’s of Ahimsa, Anekanta and Aparigraha of Bhagwan Mahavira’s philosophy can provide answers to many modern day problems.

May the festival strengthen in one and all the commitment to truth, non violence and fraternity. pic.twitter.com/gbWT1oTlZF

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 4, 2023

Mahavir- revered to this day because he quelled external conflicts by resolving his inner conflicts; he demonstrated that true Liberation lies not in conquering others but in conquering Oneself. -Sg #MahavirJayanti

— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) April 4, 2023

Let's open our hearts, embrace the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, and follow in his footsteps.

Best wishes of Mahavir Jayanti to you all. pic.twitter.com/YlQYvWgEG0

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) April 4, 2023

I bow to Bhagwan Mahavir on his Jayanti. His teachings have strengthened the spirit of peace, harmony, and non-violence in our society.

At 2.00 PM today, I shall join ‘Mahavir Jayanti’ celebrations opposite Red Fort in Delhi.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 4, 2023

On this auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, let's take a moment to reflect on the teachings of Lord Mahavir and imbibe his message of living a life filled with kindness, compassion, and non-violence. Wishing you all a blessed Mahavir Jayanti! #MahavirJayanti #SpiritualWisdom pic.twitter.com/dRtsxtBpYl

— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) April 4, 2023

Humble tributes to Lord Mahavir on the auspicious occasion of #MahavirJayanti. May his teachings of non-violence and truth guide us in right path for a peaceful and harmonious society. pic.twitter.com/p90qQTJw5f

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 4, 2023

May the wisdom of Lord #Mahavir guide us to a life of self-control, compassion, and non-violence.
Happy #MahavirJayanti!#JainTemples #JainTemplesOfUttarPradesh #UttarPradesh #uptourism #spiritualtourism pic.twitter.com/WMAqDKszsO

— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) April 4, 2023

Let's remember the teachings of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, and strive to live a life of compassion, non-violence and harmony. @HemantSorenJMM

Happy Mahavir Jayanti!#mahavirjayanti #jainism #devotion #mahavira pic.twitter.com/V77rF6mmAd

— Jharkhand Tourism (@VisitJharkhand) April 4, 2023

Mahavir Jayanti Greetings to all of you.

Let's all work to instill Bhagwan Mahavir's wonderful principles inside ourselves. His message of love, kindness, and fraternity ought to serve as our example as we strive to live happy lives. pic.twitter.com/4il6Yq93ul

— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) April 4, 2023

The main objective of the event is to spread his teachings and aware of how a person can attain total freedom from the cycles of birth, life, pain, misery, and death. Also, achieve a permanently blissful state of one's self. This is known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.

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