The 2625th Janm Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavira

By Pradip Jain

Bhagwan Mahavira's 2625th Janm Kalyanak will be celebrated worldwide on April 10, 2025, with great devotion, especially among Jains. In India, cities will host major celebrations, including temple rituals like 'Abhishek', prayers, and processions. Devotees will observe fasting and meditation.

Globally, Jain communities in the US, Canada, and beyond will organize spiritual discourses, charity events, and cultural programs, with JAINA leading festivities. This occasion honors Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, whose teachings on non-violence, truth, and liberation continue to inspire millions. It falls on the 13th day of the bright half of Chaitra in the Jain calendar.

Bhagwan Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of the great Jain tradition was born in a royal family in the district of Vaishali in Bihar. His father, King Siddhartha was the ruler of this region and his mother Trishala was the daughter of King Cetaka.

India stamp 2001 issued on the eve of Bhagwan Mahavira's 2600th Janm Kalyanak.

Mahavira's childhood name was Vardhamana. Even as a child, he was full of compassion and showed spiritual inclination. His sensitive and contemplative nature led him to explore the causes and remedies of the various ills that he saw in the society around him. After leading the life of a householder till the age of thirty, he abandoned the world in the search for truth and became an ascetic.

He wandered from place to place for twelve years, leading a life of penance, austerity, self-discipline, and self-purification. He attained omniscience (kewala-jnana or kaivalva) at the age of 42, having found solutions for all the problems connected with life and the universe through deep meditation. Thus, through kaivalya, he conquered misery and happiness. Because of this conquest, he is known as Mahavira.

India stamp First Day Cover 2001 issued on the eve of Bhagwan Mahavira's 2600th Janm Kalyanak.

Mahavira preached the five great principles of non-violence, truth, absolute honesty, non-possession, and celibacy. He gave the message of love and compassion towards all living beings. He held that salvation is nothing but eternal bliss which can be realized in this very existence by one's well-directed efforts. He was of the view that man himself was the master of his destiny and every soul had the capability to rise to absolute perfection, the supreme position where it was free from the bondage of transmigration. Bhagwan Mahavira admitted men and women alike into his order without any discrimination. He launched a crusade against all ills prevalent in society.

India 2001 Silver coin set of 2 (Rs 100 + Rs 5) issued on 2600th Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavira, featuring obverse Asoka lion pedestal and reverse Swastika and Palm inside.

Ahimsa (non-violence) and Anekant (the theory of multiple facets of truth & reality) were central to Mahavira's teachings. He exhorted his followers not to kill, injure, enslave, torture, or exploit any living being. In the strife-torn world of hatred and hostilities, aggression, and unscrupulous exploitation, Jain teaching of Ahimsa not only towards human beings but towards life in all its forms, has a special significance. Non-violence in Jain philosophy has a much wider connotation than its literal meaning. It entails compassion, empathy, charity, universal friendliness, and universal forgiveness. Anekant, and in its subtlest form, Ahimsa also teaches tolerance of contrary thoughts and views.

The cover illustration depicting Lord Vardhamana Mahavira in a meditative posture on the cover page (part IV) of the calligraphic edition of the Constitution of India is a significant and symbolic representation of India's rich cultural and philosophical heritage. This unique artwork is created to emphasize the deep roots of Indian traditions and values that have influenced the formation of the country’s democratic framework.

Bhagwan Mahavira's teachings have an enduring relevance and if put into practice, they will not only add meaning to the life of individuals but also make the world a much better place to live in.

The Jain community all over the world will celebrate "World Navkar Mahamantra Divas" on April 9, 2025, dedicated to honoring the sacred Navkar Mantra at the pre-occasion of Bhagwan Mahavira Janm Kalyanak. The Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) is organizing the event, encouraging participants to join in collective chanting sessions, spiritual discourses, and cultural programs with the aim of "ONE WORLD, ONE CHANT TOGETHER FOR PEACE".

The Power of Namo – Patna Special Postmark cover issued on the Oath Day Ceremony (26.05.2014) of PM Narendra Modi with a message – ‘Navkar Mahamantra Power & Blessing remained all through his journey to Parliament'.

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(All photos courtesy: Pradip Jain)
 

The author's involvement in Indian and global philately stretches over many years. He won several Gold Medals in International philately and served three terms as the Governing Council member of the Philatelic Congress of India. Contact: [email protected]