About the Book Mahavira was a sixth-century reformer and philosopher, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the Janis, who established Jainism as a new faith. Born into the royal family in Kundagrama (near Patna in present-day Bihar). 'Denounced his family and all material possessions and became an ascetic at the age of thirty. Having attained omniscience (kevala jnana) after performing austerities for twelve years, Mahavira began travelling on feat, preaching and gaining followers. A great believer in the equality of all, he ordained men and women from all classes and castes. He taught his followers how to overthrow the fetters of karma and liberate the soul from the cycle of birth and rebirth as well as lessons on how to live a life of truthfulness, compassion, humility and. non-attachment. The Upanishad dictum-ahimsa paramadharmah (non-violence is the greatest Truth)-saw its apogee in the teachings of Mahavira. His teachings on the symbiosis between all living beings and. the five elements-earth, air, fire, water and vegetation-form the basis of environmental sciences today.
Edited by Nanditha. Krishna, the aphorisms in 'Live and Let Others Live' contains the core teachings of Mahavira that show us how to lead a peaceful and fulfilling life.
About the Author Dr Nanditha Krishna is a historian, environmentalist and writer based in Chennai, with a PhD in Ancient Indian Culture. She has been Director, Professor and Research Guide for the PhD programme of the C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar Institute of Indological Research, and. is currently the President of the C. P. Ramaswami. Aiyar foundation. She is a prolific writer who has authored books such as Mafia Venkateshwara, Ganesha, Hinduism and Nature, Sacred Plants of India and Sacred Animals of India among - others, and research papers and popular articles on Indian art, religion and the environment. She is the winner of several awards including Nani Shakti Puraskar, Stree: Ratna and Outstanding Woman of Asia, and has a D. Litt (Honors cause) from Vidyasagar University, West Bengal.
Introduction Mahavira was a sixth-century reformer and philosopher, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of the Janis who established Jainism as a new faith. He was a prince, born to inherit and rule. Yet, one day, Prince Vardhamana left home, abandoning his kingdom and his wealth, to become an ascetic. What prompted him to leave? Was it an inner calling? Or was it hearing the piteous cries of goats that were being readied for slaughter?
Mahavira (who was born Vardhamana in the sixth century Bee) was the son of King Siddhartha of Kundagrama (near Patna in present-day Bihar) and his wife Trishala or Priyakarmi, daughter of King Chetaka of Vaishali. Siddhartha belonged to the lkshvaku lineage of Shri Rama of Ayodhya. Before Vardhamana's birth, Queen Trishala had fourteen auspicious dreams, signifying that the child was destined for greatness.
As per Shwetambara texts, Vardhamana was married to Yashoda, daughter of Samaravira, a great warrior, and had a daughter named Priyadarshana or Anojja. According to the Digambara texts, however, he never married.
Mahavira is credited with several miracles. Once, as a child, he was playing with his friends when a cobra appeared. The other children picked up stones, and cried, 'Kill it.' But young Vardhamana sat down and extended his hand to the snake. The cobra crawled up his arm until it was at eye level with him. The two gazed at each other and then played together like friends. Finally, Vardhamana left the cobra on a tree and bade him goodbye.
Book's Contents and Sample Pages
