Lord Mahavira- Encyclopaedia of Saints of India (Part-5)

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The theme in this work clearly lays emphasis on the socio-religious philosophy of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. The nineteen chapters dealing with his writings, preaching and principles are significant as they lay emphasis on fundamental principles of Jainism, teachings of Lord Mahavira, the great scriptures of Jains, right attitudes in life, views for a disciple, ways and means of inner develop- ment, purity of thought and life, five types of knowledge, religious principles of Jainism, literature and art of the Jainism and other developmental principles of Jainism.

With all these facts we may say that this work would be useful for teachers, scholars, students and all those who are interested in the philosophy of Lord Mahavira in Indian sub- continent and abroad.

Contents include: Lord Mahavira: The Life Sketch; Jainism before Lord Mahavira; Fundamental Principles; Teachings of Mahavira; The Great Scriptures of Jains; Right Attitude; Pancha Shila; Vows for a Householder; The Way of Inner Development; Five Types of Knowledge; Philosophical and Religious Principles of Jainism; The Structure of Jain Community; Literature and Art of the Jains; Mythological Stories; Early Career and Sanyas; Penance and Nirvana; Mass Popularity; Approximate Date of his Nirvana; Modern Period of Development of Jainism.

Dr. S.R. Bakshi, Ph.D., D.Litt. is an eminent. scholar of Modern Indian History and is the author of several works on Indian nationalism and freedom movement. His recent works include 'Encyclopaedic History of Indian Culture and Religion' (in 5 Vols.), The Great Marathas' (in 5 Vols.), The Great Rajputs' (in 6 Vols.), 'B.R. Ambedkar: His Political and Social Ideology' (in 2 Vols.), 'Encyclopaedic History of The Sikhs and Sikhism' (in 6 Vols.), The Great Moghuls' (in 8 Vols.), and Development of Women, Children and Weaker Sections' (in 5 Vols.). Dr. Bakshi is member of several academic institutions having deep bearing on historical research.

Dr. Sangh Mittra, LL.B. Ph.D. from Lucknow University, is Dy. Director (Research) in Indian Council of Historical Research. Her Ph.D. thesis on 'Iconographic Study of Minor Brahmanical Deities in Northern India' is published along with more than 20 Research Papers in reputed historical journals. She is Life Member of several academic institutions and a reputed examiner of Ph.D. thesis of Universities of North India. Besides she has actively participated in numerous national and international Seminars.

Lord Mahavira spent more than three decades in the propagation of his doctrine. He travelled through several regions of Indian sub-continent, preaching and converting people to his faith. He indeed got favourable support at numerous places he happened to visit. Thus he developed his doctrines and preached his faith of unbounded charity to all living beings. In fact his reformed church gained followers practically all over the vast stretches of India. He attained nirvana at Pava in 527 B.C. at the age of seventy-two.

Jainism has emphasised the fact that the world was never created. God in Jainism is the ideal man: there is a way to achieve it and that is the Jaina ethical way. Such an ideal carries with it all necessary hope and encouragement, for what man has done, man can do.

In Jainism non-violence is the pivot on which its whole ethics revolves. In fact for Jainas violence represents all the vices and non-violence all the virtues. In other words, non-violence is the eternal and pure form of religion. Lord Mahavira gave the definition of religion as follows.

"The worthy men of the past, present and the future all say thus, speak thus, declare thus: all breathing, existing living and sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented. This is the pure, eternal and unchangeable law or the tenet of religion."

**Contents and Sample Pages**