TIRTHANKAR MAHAVIR
By the Publisher
(Second Edition)
We would like to mention a few extracts from the First edition's Preface,
as it is worthwhile to do so.
In this pious land of Bharata, 2507 years ago, lakhs (100,000s) of worldly beings had heard
the divine sound of the last Tirthankara Bhagavan Mahavira revealing the path of
liberation and became the followers of Vitaraga Dharma. Only seven years back,
not only in India, but all over the world his 2500th Nirvana Anniversary was
celebrated with great enthusiasm.
On that auspicious occasion, there had been much constructive activities in the country,
of which one important activity had been the publication of analytical works on the life
and doctrines of Bhagavan Mahavira.
Although all this was praiseworthy, authentic literature of a high standard was still rare.
Besides, some unauthentic and irrelevant literature also got published. Two factors
were responsible for this, viz., first, lack of adequate knowledge about the doctrines
propounded by Mahavira and second, the exuberance of excessive modernity and
unnatural synthesis.
On that auspicious occasion, the Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust also took a decision to
publish a standard work in Hindi throwing light on the life and doctrines of Bhagavan
Mahavira.
With that end in view, Dr. Hukamchand Bharill was requested to undertake the
responsibility which he gladly accepted. He started the work with full vigour
after March, 1974.
Despite his multifarious responsibilities and activities pertaining to Pandit
Todarmal Smarak Trust, Dr. Bharill worked day and night without bothering
about the strain on his health and produced a beautiful and authentic work
Bhagavan Mahavira Aur Unka Sarvodaya Tirtha within a short space of six
or seven months.
The book has two parts. Part One has a very interesting account of the previous and
present lives of Bhagavan Mahavira which will be found useful
by the readers. Along with this is given the background from Bhagavan
Risabhadeva till Parsvanatha.
Part Two presents an interesting discussion on the road to liberation as propounded by Mahavira.
The discussion is analytical as well as intelligible. This is followed by discussion on very
serious and thought-provoking topics like anekanta and syadvada on the one hand and on the
other by a devotional topic like deva-'shastra-guru and a spiritual topic like the science
of differentiation. These have been duly illustrated so that they may go deep down the heart
of the reader. Though from cover to cover one meets with the originality of the writer,
yet at every place it follows the preachings of the Jinas.
The central focus of the teaching of Mahavira, viz., the soul has nowhere been lost,
no matter whether it is a historical account or an analytical discussion.
At the end of the two parts, there is a conclusion wherein the doctrines of Mahavira
have been viewed in the present-day context and their practical usefulness highlighted.
The conclusion has been followed by on ahimsa. Ahimsa has been thoroughly reviewed in
the light of the Jaina texts as it happens to be the most widely discussed topic
connected with the name of Mahavira. It has been relegated to the appendix in order to
attract the greatest possible attention of the readers and to refute many wrong and
misguided views about it with due authority and proof which was not possible in the text
Thus, no effort has been spared to make the text perfect. In our considered view,
this objective has been fulfilled. It is our sincere desire that this book reaches
everybody and they broaden the path of their own welfare through its reading.
Nemichand Patni
Maha Mantri
Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust
JAIPUR
30th March, 1992