Question: Consider the following statement:
(1) MahavirJayanti was celebrated on 6th April 2020.
(2) Mahavira belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty.
Choose the correct:
(a) Only(1)
(b) Only(2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer:(c)
Related facts:
- MahavirJayanti is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Jain community.
- This year it is being celebrated on 6th April 2020.
- MahavirJayanti is also is known as MahaveerJanmaKalyanak, or the Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavira – the founder of Jainism.
- This festival marks the birth of VardhamanaMahavira, who was the 24th and the last, Tirthankara, spiritual teacher in Jainism.
- According to the Hindu Calendar, MahavirJayanti is celebrated on the 13th day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra.
History & Significance of Mahavir Jayanti:
- According to several historians Lord Mahavira was born in a place called Ahalyabhumi.
- The land has not been ploughed for hundreds of years by the family that owns it.
- Lord Mahavir was born in the palace of Vaishali to King Siddhartha and Queen Trisala and was named Vardhamana, which means “one who grows”.
- Mahavira belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty.
- He took over his father’s kingdom at an early age and ruled it for over 30 years.
- Later he gave up all worldly possessions and decided to seek enlightenment in life.
- All his life he preached ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-attachment) to his disciples and his teachings were called Jain Agamas.
- According to Jain texts, Lord Mahavira attained moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at the age of 72.
By-Achyutanand Pandey