Shree Mahavir Bhagwan: Garbh Haran, Birth, and Diksha of the Twenty-fourth Tirthankara

We have read in detail about Lord Mahavir's first to seventeenth and eighteenth to twenty-seventh lives. As mentioned earlier, all Tirthankaras are born as Kshatriyas, but due to the utsutra prarupna fault committed in the life as Marichi, Lord Mahavir had to initially reside in the womb of a Brahmin woman. Later, the celestial beings transferred the embryo from Brahmini to the womb of Mata Trishala - this is considered one of the ten aashcharyas. Lord Mahavir took birth for the upliftment of souls. Those who were with Him during that time were indeed extremely fortunate! Let us now read in detail the divine story from this garbha haran aashcharya to His Diksha.

The 27th Birth as Vardhamana Mahavir or Tirthankar Mahavir

The soul of Mahavir Swami Bhagwan was conceived by Devananda, the wife of Brahmin Rishabhdutt. This was one of the 10 wonders in the history, as all the Tirthankars are usually born in a Kshatriya (warrior caste) family. However, as an exception, He was conceived by a Brahmin woman. The reason behind this was that in His previous birth, that of Marichi, He had expressed pride for being a part of the supreme clan. Also, as a Tridandi, He used to conduct himself as a Brahmin, and after that birth, He had taken many births as a Brahmin.

After 82 days of conception, the throne of the Indra Dev shook. He came to know that a Tirthankar was in the womb of a Brahmin, not a Kshatriya. This was not acceptable! So, the Devas shifted the Lord from Devananda’s womb to the womb of Queen Trishala, the wife of King Siddhartha. Queen Trishala then saw 14 auspicious dreams indicating the birth of a Tirthankar. When she got to know that she will give birth to a Tirthankar, she was very happy.

Mahavir Swami had three kinds of knowledge namely, Mati Gnan, Shrut Gnan and Avadhi Gnan, right from when He was in the womb of His mother. As He did not want to give any pain to His mother, He did not make any movement when inside the womb. However, that made the parents worried. With His Avadhi Gyan, the Lord saw that His parents were worried for Him. So, He made a little movement by shaking His toe. Upon sensing this movement, His parents took a sigh of relief. Seeing this attachment of His parents towards Him, Mahavir decided in the womb itself that He will take Diksha only once His parents are no more.

We too can learn from this instance. We should at least ensure that we do not make our parents unhappy. After marriage, our in-laws, too, are our parents. Therefore, we should take good care of our in-laws too, just as we care of our parents.

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan has always said that He would never forget the favour of even a person who offered Him just a cup of tea; then, how can we forget the innumerable favours done by our parents?! The whole purpose behind reading or listening the life story of great people is that their behavioural traits can instil good conduct in us too.

The celestial beings were in service of Mother Trishala, taking good care of her until the Lord was born. They would always keep her happy. Trishala Mata used to have spiritual talks with celestial Goddesses. Some of the questions she asked along with the replies of the Goddesses are as follows:

1. What is the most beautiful thing in the world?
   It is the Pure Soul.
2. What is the characteristic of the Soul?
   Pure Consciousness!
3. Then the Mother asked, what is the form of the Soul?
   Soul is full of Knowledge; it is Absolute Knowledge.
4. What is Dharma?
   To come into one’s own nature is called Dharma. For example, a mango is known by its natural properties of its self, such as taste and colour. Accordingly, when one comes into the nature of its real Self or Soul, then it is called Atma Dharma.
5. What is the highest conduct?
   The celestial beings reveal that Vitaragtais the highest conduct. When there is no attachment and abhorrence towards anything, then one is called Vitarag.
6. Who is the sinner in this world?
   The one who causes hurt or harm to others is a sinner! The biggest sin is to condemn one’s faith i.e. to condemn any God, Guruor Religion!
7. Who is a contented Soul in this world?
   The one who dwells in the Soul!
8. What happens to one who binds neither good nor bad karma?
   That being goes to Moksha.
9. Who is the one having sanity?
   The one who is aware of what is of essence and what is not!
10. Who is the most courageous person in this world?
    The one who forgives even his enemy; This forgivenessdoes not have to be given; it is natural!
11. Who is the most foolish person in the world?
    The one who has attained a human birth, yet does not realize the Self (attain Self-Realization)!
12. Who is the real courageous person?
    The one who annihilates the inner enemies of anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment and hatred!
13. Who is called Jin?
    The one who wins over attachment!
14. Who is the best person?
    The one who knows all the eternal elements (tattvas)!
15. Who is called a ‘mumukshu’ (spiritual enthusiast)?
    The one who is day and night busy aspiring going to Moksha!

Thus, when Lord Mahavir was in Mata Trishala’s womb, she got such good replies from the celestial goddesses. These serve as greatest life lessons to us!

Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan, too, was asked certain questions, to which He replied as follows:

1. What is that thing worth renouncing in this world?
   All temporary things!
2. Who is the one in bondage?
   The one who is attached to temporary things!
3. Who is free in this world?
   The one who is detached from temporary things!
4. Which is the worst hell?
   To try and cause hurt to every living being!
5. Which is the most beautiful thing in this body?
   The Pure Soul!
6. What is the way to go to heaven?
   Giving peace and happiness to others all our life!
7. Who is the poorest in this world?
   The one who enters the race-course, i.e., the one who enters competition!
8. Who is the richest in this world?
   The one who is totally contented and satisfied at all times in life!
9. Which is the biggest disease in this body?
   The disease of being reborn in this world (Sansar Rog) and suffering for countless of lives!
10. What is the best medicine to cure this biggest disease?
    Go to Gnani! He uproots this disease from its roots.
11. How do we know we are now free from this worldly disease?
    When we see the world as flawless; when we do not see fault of anyone in this world!
12. Who is said to be sincere in this world?
    The one who is sincere to one’s Self! One who does not cheat anyone is called sincere to one’s Self.
13. Which is the best service in this world?
    The best service is when one is mutely engaged in service of others all his life!
14. Which is the best merit karmain this world?
    Serving your mother, father and Guru!

Birth of Mahavir (Janma Kalyanak)

On the 13th day of the rising moon during the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra, Mahavir Swami was born, having a golden complexion. He was so good-looking that anyone would get attracted to Him upon seeing Him. The celestial Gods came down to bathe their Lord with pure water. They took him to the majestic Meru mountains. As all celestial Gods began to pour water onto the Lord, the Dev in whose lap the baby Lord was seated got worried that how would such a small baby be able to bear so much of water falling onto Him. Mahavir Bhagwan recognized this worry. To relieve him of this worry, He pressed the mountain with His small little toe. The Dev immediately remembered that this baby was no ordinary being; He was a Tirthankar! He then sang a hymn in praise of the Lord. All celestial beings present there celebrated this event with great love and happiness. As the event ended, they brought the baby Lord back home and placed Him next to His mother.

The entire atmosphere was full of happiness and celebrations. When Bhagwan Mahavir was 12 days old, His father named Him as Vardhaman. This is because right from the time when the Lord entered the womb of Queen Trishala, grains, pulses, money, and wealth grew in abundance in the kingdom.

Mata Trishala brought up Prince Vardhaman with great love. When the Prince turned 8 years old, His father put Him in school. Gradually, as He became young, His parents decided to get Him married. Vardhaman declined, but when He saw that His parents were not happy with His decision, He gave in and agreed to get married. He got married to Princess Yashoda who gave birth to their daughter named Priyadarshana.

Diksha (Renunciation)

When Vardhaman Mahavir was 28 years old, His parents died. As a result, His elder brother Nandivardhan was broken. He requested His younger brother to take the throne. However, Vardhaman clearly denied the offer and expressed His wish of taking Diksha (renunciation) as their parents were no more. Prince Nandivardhan was not at all prepared for this; He could not afford to lose his brother at this stage when he was already in a state of shock and sadness because of the death of parents. As Lord Mahavir did not want to hurt His shocked brother, He agreed to delay His Diksha by two years. Then, at the age of 30, after donating all His wealth for one year long, He finally abandoned His home and embraced the ascetic life of a monk. Upon taking Diksha, He attained Manahparyav Gnan.

Later, a Brahmin named Devrishi came asking Him for some money, justifying by asserting that he was out of station when the Lord was donating His possessions. However, the Lord no more had any money with Him. Therefore, He gave away half of the only cloth laid on His body. The Brahmin saw that the cloth was a pricey one. So, he followed Him to get the other half too. After covering some distance, the Lord’s remaining cloth got entangled in one of the shrubs. Mahavir Swami knew about what was going on in the Brahmin’s mind. Therefore, He neither tried to remove the cloth nor did He look back. He left the cloth for the Brahmin, who was following Him out of greed, and moved on.

Let us now read further about the beginning of the upsargas (externally induced afflictions/sufferings) faced by Lord Mahavir, adversities that no other Tirthankar or human being had ever encountered.