Shree Manibhadra Veer

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Manibhadra Veer - A brief History & Places of Importance

A brief history :

Manibhadra was a great king who was devoted to Jain religion and preachings. He had enormous wealth and was also very fond of 36 musical instruments. He was declared as the Kshetrapal (Protector of the Area) because of his tremendous devotion.

Manibhadraveer, as the legend goes, was born in his previous birth in Ujjain as a Jain shravak Manekshaw. He was a staunch Jain Shravak whose Guru was Maharaj Hemvimal Suriji. During his chaturmas in Agra, Manekshaw was deeply influenced by his Guru's discourses on the sacredness and importance of Shatrunjay. Due to this, he decided to undertake the arduous penance of going on foot to Shatrunjay to do the Navanuni Yatra and end it with a 2-day fast under the Ryan tree.

With his Guru's blessings, he set off on the auspicious day of Kartiki Poonam. When he was close to present day Magarwada, a gang of dacoits attacked him and the group and fighting them He gave his life to save others severing his head, arms and lower body. Manekshaw, who was totally absorbed in his Navkar mantra jaap and the sacredness of Shatrunjay, was reborn as Indra Manibhadraveerdev. Another school of thought says that Maneksha lost his life in a battle to save cows.

It is mythologically stated that while fighting, His body got cut into three (3) parts and fell in three different directions. The “Pindi” ie. “the part below the waist” fell at Magarwada in Gujarat, The “dhad” ie. the body at Aglod in Gujarat and the “Mashtak”, ie. the Head in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Originally there are only these three places of Mianibhadra Veer in India - UJJAIN, AGLOD and MAGARWADA.

It is also believed, that, His Guru's disciples were facing many difficulties because of the Bhairvos. According to the Dev vaani, his Guru came to Magarwada, and sat down in Dhyan to overcome these difficulties. That is when Manibhadraveer decided to help his Guru to overcome the obstacles caused by the Bhairvos. He subdued them. His Guru honoured him by installing a 'pind' of his legs in Magarwada on Maha Sud Pancham day and constructed the temple there.

Today, people flock to Magarwada in large numbers to pray to Manibhadraveer to solve their problems and help them overcome their obstacles.

Thus His Highness Lord Manibhadraveer sacrified his life and became a Martyr (“Shaheed”) fighting for Jainism. It is also said that if someone makes darshan or worships Lord Manibhadraveer in all the three locations in one day, ie. Between Sunrise to Sunset, the same is the best possible way of offering ones prayers and devotion. Logistically, it is possible and would be covered in the following section.

Some salient features of Lord Manibhadra veer :

His face on statues is sometimes depicted mostly as Varah (Boar).
His idols are shown with four arms, and sometimes we also see him with six arms.
The carrier of Manibhadra Dev is Airavat, the white elephant with multiple trunks.
He is highly respected among the Tapagachha sect of Sawetambar Jains.
He is specially worshipped on ‘‘Ashtami’’, “Chaudas’’ and ‘’Divali’’
On pacham of every month large number of devotees come here to offer worship.
Sunday and Thursday are supposedly His favourite days and one can also pay respects to the Lord by remaining on Jain diet (No Onion-Potato-Garlic and underground food)
Sukhadi and Shreefal (Coconut) is his favourite food and is offered as Prasad.

Note : Women devotees can do darshan / worship him and offer prayers, but can not offer Puja or do idol-worship by applying Kesar (Safron) and Chandan to the Lord.

Locations of Manibhadra Veer - Logistics & Contact details

MAGARVADA : In Magarvada (Palanpur district, Gujarat), there is an idol of Manibhadra especially the “Pindi” which is the lower body. Here, large numbers of devotees visit to pay homage and get their desires fulfilled. Lord Manibhadraveer is known to create miracles. It is believed that one gets wealth and protection from evil spirits by worshipping Him. Not just Jains but even Hindus from Gujarat and the neighbouring state of Rajasthan flock in Huge numbers to offer their prayers and worships.

AGLOD : Shri Aglod Jain Tirth around 80 kms (1.45 hrs) from Magarwada. It is said that “Dhad”, ie. The Body fell here and the same is worshipped. One can begin the worship from the feet and the lower part and visit Aglod to worship the body followed by the Head at Ujjain.

UJJAIN : At the banks of Shipra river, is located the divine temple of Lord Manibhadraveer jee. Adjoining the temple was His old home (Maneksha’s) and the temple is built on and around the same location. The “Mashtak” or Head of Dada / Lord Manibhadraveer is worshipped here.

Logistics and Travel Plan to cover MAGARWADA, AGLOD & UJJAIN in one day between Sunrise to sunset.

We had planned our Journey (May 7^th, 2011) from Ahmedabad where we hired an AC Indica. Please note that prior to book your taxi / car do check whether they have MP Permit, which is necessary.

We traveled from Ahmedabad to Magarwada the day earlier in the evening, so we can start our darshan journey from Magarwada the next morning upon sunrise. It is recommended that one leaves Ahmedabad around 4PM and travels for around 146 kms ie. For around 2-2.5 hrs given the super fast highway and expressway and reach Magarwada at late evening around 7:00-8:00 PM. It is recommended to have your dinner / food on the way as post sunset (Chouvihar) food will not be available at Magarwada, which is a very small village. There are many decent places to eat on the highway (AC , Non-AC). There are decent facilities (dharamsala) to stay overnight here – constructed in 2009-10. One can relax, unwind and also do bhavna (prayers) at the temple in the evening.

Magarwada temple opens at around 5 AM (Please check with the temple authorities for the accurate opening time) and Sukhadi, Shreefal (Coconut) etc is available around the temple area. Also please note, that the Prasad offered has to be eaten/consumed within the temple premises and is not to be taken out.

It is recommended to leave Magarwada post the Puja etc at the earliest in the morning, say around 6.30 AM to reach Aglod at 8:30-9:00 AM. Magarwada-Aglod is around 80 kms and takes you 2-2.5 hours as the same is not through the main expressway / highway.

One can also have breakfast at Aglod and complete the Puja and worship and leave sharp at 10:00 AM and drive for 400 kms or 6-7 hours (The roads in Gujarat are good but not in M.P.) to Ujjain to reach Lord Manibhadraveers temple before Sunset. One can also do Puja here around till 4:00-4:30 PM. There are rooms to change and stay here.

One can stay here overnight or at Bherughad jain dharamsala or even travel to Indore and stay overnight.

Distance, Hours snapshot

Ahmedabad to Magarwada (146 kms, 2.5 hrs)

Right turn from Chhapi

Took 2.5 hours to reach Magarwada

Magarwada to Aglod (103 kms, 2 hrs)

Left at 7.10 AM and reached at 9:00 AM

Via Vadgam, Visnagar, Vijapur

Aglod to Ujjain (400 kms, 7.5 hrs)

Left at 10:00 AM and reached at 5:30 AM (Avg speed 65 kmph)

Contact details / references :

Shri Magarwada Tirth

Magarwada, 18 Kms from Palanpur

Phone : (02739) 262019, 263919

Shri Aglod Jain Tirth

Shri Aglod Jain Svetamber Murtipujak Sangh,

Shri Manibhadra Veer Jain Tirth Pedi,

Aglod, Vijapur, Mehasana

Phone: (02763) 283734, 283615

Shri Ujjain Teerth

0734-2581208

Shri. Kamal Jain is the resident trustee and a very helpful gentleman.

For any further details, you may contact :

Jalpesh Mehta, Mumbai

Mobile : 98194 38900

Places of Worship in and around Mumbai

Shri. Manibhadraveer dada

Location : SION, Mumbai

Direction : 1 km from the

Sion Circle

towards Matunga (Left side)

History : Miraculous statue in the form of a coconut. Aarati on every Thursday around 8:30PM in the evening. 16 visits over 16 Thursdays is said to be very fruitful.

Shri. Manibhadraveer

Location : PABAL, Chakan, Pune district

Direction : From Talegaon- Chakan-Rajgurunagar to Pabal- 50kms from Expressway

History : Very old temple with miraculous stories, especially where Lord Manibhadraveer is a human face form

Shri. Manibhadraveer

Talegaon Jain Teerth, Parshwapragyalay tirth, Talegaon

History : Relatively a new temple opposite the Talegaon Lake, near the expressway, just 100 kms and 2 hours from Mumbai. Lord Parshvanath is the main tirthankar with Lord Manibhadraveer is a human face form on an Eiravat – Elephant – a massive 30 feet statue welcomes you. A peaceful religious location where worship late in the evening and early in the mornings are heavenly experience.

Shree Manibhadra Veer - History

A brief history :

It is mythologically stated that while fighting, His body got cut into three (3) parts and fell in three different directions. The “Pindi” ie. “the part below the waist” fell at Magarwada in Gujarat, The “dhad” ie. the body at Aglod in Gujarat and the “Mashtak”, ie. the Head in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Originally there are only this three places of Mianibhadra Veer in India - UJJAIN, AGLOD and MAGARWADA.

Today, people flock to Magarwada in large numbers to pray to Manibhadraveer to solve their problems and help them overcome their obstacles.

Some salient features of Lord Manibhadra veer :

His face on statues is sometimes depicted mostly as Varah (Boar).
His idols are shown with four arms, and sometimes we also see him with six arms.
The carrier of Manibhadra Dev is Airavat, the white elephant with multiple trunks.
He is highly respected among the Tapagachha sect of Sawetambar Jains.
He is specially worshipped on ‘‘Ashtami’’, “Chaudas’’ and ‘’Divali’’
On pacham of every month large number of devotees come here to offer worship.
Sunday and Thursday are supposedly His favourite days and one can also pay respects to the Lord by remaining on Jain diet (No Onion-Potato-Garlic and underground food)
Sukhadi and Shreefal (Coconut) is his favourite food and is offered as Prasad.

Note : Women devotees can do darshan / worship him and offer prayers, but can not offer Puja or do idol-worship by applying Kesar (Safron) and Chandan to the Lord.

Mythology & Gods

Lesser gods are classified into four main groups: bhavanavasis (gods of the house), vyantaras (intermediaries), jyotiskas (luminaries), and vaimanikas (astral gods). These are each subdivided into several groups. Besides these, certain other gods and goddesses are mentioned in various Jaina texts, including several that suggest Hindu influence or borrowing from some common ancient Indian heritage. All these deities are assigned a position subordinate to the Tirthankaras and other liberated souls.

Yakshas and Yakshinies

Jains worship idols of Jinas or Tirthankars, who are reverend as supreme beings and all the 24 Thirthankars are believed to have deities as their devotees. They are called Dev, Devi, or Yakshas and Yakshinies. They are not same as Jina, Arihant, or Tirthankars who have conquered the inner passions while these deities (Yakshas and Yakshinies) are full of passions and are wandering through the cycles of births and death just like us. They are also called shashandevtas, guardian deities. They are heavenly beings of Vyantar group who have supernatural powers including changing capabilities of their form and size.

Jains believe that these Yaksas and Yaksinis were appointed by Indra to look after the well beings of Jain Tirthankaras. It is believed that they also protect Jainism, Jain temples from any negative impacts and also the followers of Jainism called Jain shravaks and shravikas. The presence of these divine forces emanate positive vibrations of harmlessness, confidence and protection in the temple and the surroundings.The statues of deities are installed in cells on the sides of the main temple. Sometimes they are also placed in the corners near the entrances.

Some Yaksa were and are known for bestowing fertility and wealth upon their devotees, give freedom from fear, illness or disease and to pacify the harmful power of rogas, grahas, raksasas, bhutas and pisachas. It is believed that they are always there to help the Jains and show them the right path. They exist in this universe and are also known as “Prakat Prabhavi” – some one who can appear and has strong impact.

A different school of thought believes that all the Yaksha and Yakshinis are believed to help the Jains for materialistic gains and asking for materialistic gains from them is getting distracted from spiritual path of theory of Karma – that you get what you have to or deserve to and you have to face it. But the middle school of thought is of the view that the Sashan Devtas should compliment the Jain teerthankars rather than replacing them and one should follow the path of karma. As a protocol one performs puja of the Jina and then pays respect to these deities.

Some of the Prominent Yakshas and Yakshanis

Chakreshware Devi She is the dedicated attendant deity of Lord Adinath (Rishabhadev), the first tirthankara. She is also known as Apratichakra. The color of this goddess is golden. Her Vehicle is the eagle. She has eight arms. In her four right hands she holds the blessing mudra, arrow, rope and wheel respectively. In her four left hands she holds the rein, the bow, the protective weapon of Indra and the wheel.

Ambika Devi She is the dedicated deity of Lord Neminath the 22nd Tirthankara. She is also called Ambai Amba and Amra Kushmandini. Her color is golden and the lion is her vehicle. She has four arms. In her two right hands she carries a mango and in the other a branch of a mango tree. In her one left hand she carries a rein and in the other she has her two sons.

Padmavati Devi She is the dedicated deity of Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Her color is golden and her vehicle is the snake with a cock's head. She has four arms and her two right hands hold a lotus and a rosary. The two left hands hold a fruit and a rein. Maata Padmavati Devi’s temple in Walkeshwar, Mumbai is known as a very beautiful and miraculous one.

Saraswati DeviSaraswati, the goddess of knowledge, is considered to be the source of all learning. This divine energy is the source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and promoter of all knowledge. She is respected and adored by all faiths, worldly persons and saints. She has four arms, one holding a book, the other a rosary and two hands holding a musical instrument Veena. Her seat is a lotus and the peacock is her vehicle representing equanimity in prosperity. In some places it is mentioned that the swan is her vehicle.

Lakshmi Devi Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth. People worship her as the goddess of wealth, power, money etc. In the upper two hands, she is holding a lotus with an elephant, in the lower right hand a rosary and in the lower left hand a pot.

Manibhadra Dev Shri Manibhadra is originally a yaksha, worshipped by Indian masses from very old times and his introduction in Jainworship is only a later adaptation. It is an image of six armed yaksha with an elephant as his vehicle. Shree Manibhadra veer as he is fondly known as a history where his body is found in 3 places – Magarwada, Aglod and Ujjain. Many Jain temples would have Shree Manibhadra veers temple and there are various miraculous stories about the lord guiding and protecting the Jainism and Jains.

Ghantakarna Veer This deity is worshipped for protection and for driving away the evil influence created by lower types of negative energy. His arrow indicates penetration of evil forces. The bow gives forceful momentum to the arrow. His symbol is the bell that resounds to create auspicious sounds in the atmosphere. Sometimes people who are not aware of the facts call him by mistake Ghantakarna Mahavira that creates confusion between Lord Mahavira and Ghantakarna Veer. He is not connected to Lord Mahavir in any way. Ghantakarna Mahavir is highly respected by Swetamber Jain. He is placed at 30th position among 52 heroes. He is a miracle god of Riddhi Siddhi and a troubleshooter. His idols have bell like ears that is why he is called Ghantakarna. Temple of Ghantakarna at Mahuri (Gujarat) is very much known for producing miracles - wishes of worshippers are fulfilled here.

Nakoda Bhairava This is the tutelary deity of Bhairava. This deity is usually found near the entrance of the temple. People from far and near, visit the shrine and make offerings to the deity on fulfillment of their material desires. It is the positive force around the temple.

BhomiyajeeThis deity is in the shape of a mountain. It is the natural positive energy of the mountain Sammetshikharjee in Jharkhand. Around 22 tirthankars attained salvation here and it is said to be one of the most respected and powerful jain religious mountain oozing a lot of positive energy. Bhomiyajee is a prakat prabhavi dev and he inspires and guides the believer and the traveler. He is worshipped before the beginning of Journey to avoid obstacles. There are may miraculous stories of devotees loosing their path in the forest and hills and a dog appearing from somewhere to guide them and vanishing once the devotees find their way.

Reference: http://www.jainbelief.com/YakshYakshini.htm and http://jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=1364&cat=42

Jainism - Philosophy & Ethics

Jain metaphysics is a dualistic system dividing the universe into two ultimate and independent categories: soul or living substance (jiva), which permeates natural forces such as wind and fire as well as plants, animals, and human beings; and non-soul, or inanimate substance (ajiva), which includes space, time, and matter.

The next most important concept is that of karma, which, in contrast to the more abstract Hindu-Buddhist conception of the principle, is regarded in Jainism as a substance, subtle and invisible, yet material, which flows into and clogs the jiva, causing the bondage of life and transmigration.

This inflow can be stopped by many lives of penance and disciplined conduct, resulting in the final moksha, or liberation, the ultimate goal of human endeavour. Souls are divided into those that have attained perfection and those still in bondage.

The Jain ethic is a direct consequence of the philosophy of soul and karma. Since the individual's primary duty is the evolution and perfection of his soul and that of his fellow creatures, ahimsa, or the refraining from harming any living being, is the cardinal principle. Jains build asylums and rest houses for old and diseased animals, where they are kept and fed until they die a natural death. The three ideals of samyagdarsana ("right belief"), samyagjnana ("right knowledge"), and samyakcarita ("right conduct") are known as the three jewels, or ratnatraya.

History of Jainism

According to Jains their faith is eternal and has been revealed through the successive ages of the world by the Tirthankaras, each of whom attained perfection and absolute freedom and then preached Jainism to the world. The first Tirthankara, Rsabha or Aadinath, is thus the traditional founder of Jainism, but though his name occurs in the Vedas and the Puranas very little else is known of him; nor is there historical evidence of the other Tirthankaras until Parsva, the 23rd in the line, who is thought to have died in the late 8th century BC.

The actual and historical founder of Jainism was Mahavira, who was born in 599 BC near Patna in what is now Bihar state. His father was a ruling Kshatriya (the second of the four Hindu social classes), chief of the Nata clan. Mahavira was an elder contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and is referred to in Buddhist writings as Nataputra ("Son of the Nata").

When he was about 28 years of age he took up the life of an ascetic. After years of hardship and meditation he attained enlightenment; thereafter he preached Jainism for about 30 years and died at Pava (also in Bihar) in 527 BC. Pava has been, since then, one of the chief places of Jain pilgrimage also known as Pavapuri; Diwali, the Hindu New Year festival, is a day of great pilgrimage for Lord Mahavira.

Jainism has never been torn by philosophic dispute, but from the beginning it was subject to schismatic movements. In the 4th or 3rd century BC the Jains began to split into two sects on points of rules and regulations for monks, a rift which was complete at least by the end of the 1st century AD.

The Digambaras ("Sky-clad"; i.e., naked) hold that an adherent should own nothing, not even clothes. They also believe that salvation is not possible for women. The Svetambaras ("White-robed") differ from them on these points.

Jainism

The word Jainism comes from the Sanskrit word for saint "jinah" which derives from "Jayati" meaning "he conquers" - thus they are conquers of mortal bondage.

Along with Hinduism and Buddhism, Jainism is one of the three most ancient Indian religions still in existence. Although Jainism has fewer followers than Hinduism and Sikhism it has had an influence on Indian culture for over 2,500 years, making significant contributions in philosophy, logic, art and architecture, grammar, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, and literature.

Lord Mahavira is regarded as the last of a line of 24 holy and spiritually enlightened beings, the Tirthankaras. Mahavira was born in India in 599 BC. At the age of thirty he gave up his life as a wealthy prince and became a religious ascetic. He was a reformer and propagator of the religion with fundamentals like :

Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - not to cause harm to any living beings
Truthfulness (Satya) - to speak the harmless truth only
Non-stealing (Asteya) - not to take anything not properly given
Chastity (Brahmacharya) - not to indulge in sensual pleasure
Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - complete detachment from people, places, and material things.

Jainism is a religion of love and compassion above all else. Jains believe that the universe is eternal. They believe in the eternity of the soul. There are thought to be multitudes of souls or life-modas, which are all independent and eternal.

Practicing the ideals of Jainism results in the souls getting lighter in color and rising to the level of a universal being. The goal of the Jains is to achieve liberation and then to float like a bubble to the ceiling of the universe. Present estimates of the number of Jains worldwide range as high as six million or more.

Jainism is a religion and philosophy of India, founded in about the 6th century BC by Vardhamana, who is known as Mahavira ("Great Hero")--the 24th of the Tirthankaras ("Ford-makers"), Jinas ("Conquerors"; whence the name Jainism), the great religious figures on whose example the religion is centered--in protest against the orthodox Vedic (early Hindu) ritualistic cult of the period; its earliest proponents may have belonged to a sect that rebelled against the idea and practice of taking life prevalent in the Vedic animal sacrifice.

Jainism, which does not espouse belief in a creator god, has as its ethical core the doctrine of ahimsa, or noninjury to all living creatures, and as its religious ideal the perfection of man's nature, to be achieved predominantly through the monastic and ascetic life.

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