Mahavir Jayanti | 31 Mar 2026

Source: PIB

Why in News? 

The President of India extended greetings on the eve of Mahavir Jayanti (Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak), which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Vardhamana Mahavira, who was the 24th and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher and spiritual teacher) of Jainism.

  • In 2026, it is observed on 31st March, falling on Trayodashi tithi, the 13th day of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Chaitra.

Who was Lord Vardhamana Mahavira?

  • Early Life: He was born as Vardhamana in 599 BCE in Kundalagrama, located near Vaishali in present-day Bihar. 
    • He belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty and was born to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala.
  • Spiritual Quest: At the age of 30, Vardhamana renounced his royal privileges, family, and material wealth to become an ascetic in pursuit of spiritual awakening.
    • He attained 'Kevala Jnana' (omniscience or supreme infinite knowledge) under a Sal tree on the banks of the Rijupalika river.
  • Title of Mahavira: Upon conquering his senses and inner enemies (like anger, greed, ego, and deceit), Vardhamana earned the titles 'Jina' (the conqueror) and 'Mahavira' (the great hero).
  • Nirvana: Lord Mahavira attained Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at the age of 72 at Pavapuri, near modern-day Rajgir in Bihar.
    • According to Mahavira, Nirvana or salvation is achieved through liberation from worldly desires, which begins with renunciation and is guided by the observance of the Tri-Ratna (Three Jewels) - (Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Gyan (right knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (right conduct)).
  • Core Teachings of Lord Mahavira: Mahavira prescribed five fundamental vows (Maha-vratas) for a meaningful life. Earlier, Parshvanatha (23rd Tirthankara) had taught four vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, and Aparigraha) while Mahavira added the fifth vow of Brahmacharya.
    • Ahimsa (Non-violence): The supreme principle (Ahimsa Paramo Dharma). It means not causing harm to any living creature physically, mentally, or verbally.
    • Satya (Truthfulness): To always speak the truth and refrain from falsehood, exaggeration, or deception.
    • Asteya (Non-stealing): Not taking anything that is not willingly offered or acquired through legitimate means.
    • Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Complete detachment from material wealth, property, and worldly attachments.
    • Brahmacharya (Chastity/Self-control): Exercising strict restraint over sensual pleasures and physical desires.
  •  Disciplinary Lineage: He organised his followers into the fourfold Jain Sangh—monks (Sadhus), nuns (Sadhvis), laymen (Shravaks), and laywomen (Shravikas). 
    • Mahavira had eleven chief disciples (ganadharas), among whom Indrabhuti Gautama and Sudharman played a key role in establishing the early monastic tradition. 
    • His teachings were preserved in the Agam Sutras, initially transmitted orally and later recorded on palm leaves, though many were lost over time.
  • Key Philosophical Contributions:
    • Anekantavada (Doctrine of Pluralism): The philosophy that truth and reality are complex and always have multiple aspects. It teaches that no single perspective possesses the absolute truth.
    • Syadvada (Theory of Conditioned Predication): The premise that all judgments and truths are conditional and relative, holding good only under certain circumstances.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. When is Mahavir Jayanti celebrated?
     It is observed on the 13th day (Trayodashi) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar.
  2. What are the Tri-Ratna of Jainism?
     Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Gyan (right knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (right conduct) guide the path to liberation.
  3. What are the five Mahavratas prescribed by Mahavira?
     Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, and Brahmacharya form the core ethical principles of Jainism.
  4. What is Anekantavada?
     It is the doctrine of pluralism, emphasizing that truth has multiple perspectives and no single viewpoint is absolute.
  5. Where did Mahavira attain Nirvana?
     He attained Moksha at Pavapuri in Bihar at the age of 72.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims:

Q. With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to (2018)

(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism 
(d) Shaivism  

Ans: (b) 

Q. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: (2017)

  1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism. 
  2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 only 
(c) Both 1 and 2 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (b) 

Q. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? (2012)

  1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 
  2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 
  3. Denial of the efficacy of rituals 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (b) 

Q. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following? (2009)

(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism 
(c) Sikhism
(d) Vaishnavism 

Ans: (b)