APRIL 10: India marked Mahavir Jayanti with deep reverence and renewed spiritual commitment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Navkar Mahamantra Divas. Celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, the occasion resonated with themes of non-violence, truth, inner awakening, and sustainability.“The literature of Jainism is the backbone of India’s intellectual grandeur. Preserving this knowledge is our duty,” remarked the Prime Minister, highlighting the profound contributions of Jain philosophy to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Calling the Navkar Mantra the very “essence of life,” the Prime Minister reflected on his early exposure to Jain teachings in Gujarat, stating that Jain Acharyas deeply influenced his understanding of values like ahimsa, satya, and aparigraha. He emphasized how these principles continue to shape India’s journey of progress rooted in tradition.Mahavir Jayanti this year became a platform not just for spiritual reflection but also for national inspiration. In a poetic tribute to the spiritual significance of the number nine in Jain and Indian traditions, Prime Minister Modi introduced “Nine Resolutions for a New India,” inspired by the Navkar Mantra. These include commitments to water conservation, natural farming, healthy living, cleanliness, and helping the underprivileged, aligning spiritual discipline with societal development.
Linking Jain values to modern challenges, the Prime Minister identified climate change as the greatest crisis of our times, and hailed the Jain community’s sustainable lifestyle as a model for Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)—India’s global call for mindful living.
Underscoring the need to protect India’s spiritual knowledge, PM Modi announced steps under the Gyan Bharatam Mission to digitize Jain manuscripts and grant classical language status to Prakrit and Pali. He also highlighted the government’s ₹25 crore investment for the Centre for Jain Studies at DAVV, Indore, under the PMJVK scheme, to foster academic research, preserve ancient texts, and deepen global understanding of Jain philosophy.From the architectural tribute at the new Parliament building to the return of ancient Tirthankara idols, India is reaffirming Jainism’s role not just in history but in shaping a compassionate, sustainable, and spiritually awakened future.
