Lucknow: The auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated with great devotion and spiritual fervor at Ramakrishna Math. The celebrations included prayers, discourses, and cultural rituals, drawing participation from devotees across the city and beyond through live online streaming.
On the occasion, the President of the Math, Swami Muktinathananda, extended heartfelt greetings to the Jain community and peace-loving people worldwide. He emphasized the enduring relevance of Jain principles in promoting harmony, compassion, and non-violence in today’s world.
Spiritual Proceedings and Rituals
The day began early at 5:00 AM with conch blowing and Mangal Aarti, followed by Vedic chanting and recitation of the Bhagavad Gita under the guidance of Swami Ishtakripananda.
At 7:15 AM, an online Satsang session was conducted by Swami Muktinathananda, where he delivered a discourse on the life and teachings of Mahavira.
Discourse on Life and Teachings of Mahavira
In his address titled “The Great Life of Tirthankar Mahavira and the Essence of Jainism,” Swami Muktinathananda elaborated on the significance of Mahavir Jayanti, celebrated annually on the Trayodashi of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra month.
He recounted that Mahavira was born in 599 BCE in Kundalpur, Vaishali (present-day Bihar) to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. Known as Vardhaman in his early years, he later renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and undertook intense penance for 12 years before attaining Kevalya Gyan (omniscience) on the banks of the Rijupalika river.
The Swami highlighted that Mahavira’s teachings of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) remain timeless and essential for global peace. He stressed that true harmony can only be achieved through compassion, restraint, and ethical living.
Cultural and Evening event
In the evening, after the Sandhya Aarti, devotees participated in the recitation of “Shri Ramakrishna Shatakam” composed by Promadadas Mitra, along with the chanting of Hanuman Chalisa, led by Swami Ishtakripananda.
Swami Muktinathananda also referred to the views of Swami Vivekananda, noting how Jain ethical principles have historically contributed to preserving Indian society from moral decline by emphasizing non-violence and universal welfare.
The program concluded with the distribution of prasad among devotees. The celebration served as a reminder of the enduring message of peace, self-discipline, and spiritual awakening propagated by Mahavira, inspiring attendees to incorporate these values into their daily lives.
The event successfully blended traditional rituals with modern outreach through live streaming, allowing a wider audience to partake in the spiritual observance.
