Mahavir’s focus on free will

• Mahavir strongly emphasized the importance of free will (the freedom from external influences such as fate) as a core principle of his philosophy.

Mahavir’s Philosophy:

• Mahavir strongly emphasized the importance of free will as a core principle of his philosophy.
• According to him life is a combination of “niyati” (fate) and “purusharth” (action based on free will) and fate is always a result of purusharth (previous karma).
• Mahavir preached the supremacy of the “Atma” (the self) in determining one’s life. He believed in Atma as“Paramatma” (the supreme).
• Mahavir declares that only the one who accepts that it is, in fact, him who is the master of his own destiny, is a true follower of his principles of “Atmavad” (belief in souls characteristic of consciousness and supreme potential).

Jainism:

• Jainism became prominent in the 6th century B.C it was propagated by Mahivira.
• There were 24 tirthankaras, the last of whom was Mahavira.
• Spread of the new agricultural economy paved for its origin.
• Three jewels or Triratna of jainism include Right faith, Right knowledge, Right Action.
• Doctrine of Jainism revolves around Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya.
• The fifth doctrine of Brahmacharya (observing continence) was introduced by Mahavira.

Prelims Takeaway:

• Jainism
• Philosophy of Mahavira