Answer

The last preaching of Bhagwan Mahavir is traditionally known as the final deshna or last sermon given at Pāvāpurī before His nirvāṇa.

In Jain tradition, this final teaching is especially associated with the essence of His entire path:

• Right Faith — Samyak Darshan
• Right Knowledge — Samyak Jnan
• Right Conduct — Samyak Charitra

Together, these are called the Ratnatraya, the Three Jewels of Jain Dharma. They are the path to liberation.

Bhagwan Mahavir’s last preaching emphasized that every soul must purify itself through self-discipline, non-violence, detachment, and awareness. Liberation cannot be given by anyone else; it must be attained by one’s own effort.

Explanation

Bhagwan Mahavir taught for many years after attaining keval jnan. His teachings were always centered on the purification of the soul. Near the end of His life, at Pāvāpurī, He gave His final religious discourse to the gathered monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, and celestial beings.

The core message of His last preaching can be understood through the following teachings:

• Ahimsa — Do not harm any living being by thought, speech, or action.
• Aparigraha — Reduce attachment and possessiveness.
• Self-effort — One must uplift one’s own soul through discipline and right conduct.
• Awareness of karma — Every action binds karma when done with passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
• Equanimity — Remain calm in pleasure and pain, praise and insult, gain and loss.
• Right conduct — Knowledge must be lived, not merely heard or memorized.

His final message was not a new doctrine separate from His earlier teachings. Rather, it was the complete essence of Jain Dharma.

Examples

1. Ahimsa in daily life

If someone speaks harshly to us, ordinary reaction may be anger or revenge. But Mahavir’s teaching guides us to pause and avoid violence in speech.

For example:

• Do not reply with insult.
• Do not mentally wish harm to the person.
• Respond calmly or remain silent.

This is ahimsa not only in action, but also in thought and speech.

2. Aparigraha in modern life

A person may have more than enough, yet still constantly desire more wealth, more recognition, more possessions, and more comfort. Mahavir’s teaching of aparigraha asks us to reduce greed and attachment.

For example:

• Use what is necessary.
• Avoid waste.
• Share with others.
• Do not let possessions control your mind.

The real bondage is not only in objects, but in attachment to them.

3. Self-effort

If a person wants peace but continues anger, jealousy, and dishonesty, peace will not arise merely by prayer. Jain Dharma teaches that prayer must be supported by inner change.

For example:

• If anger arises, practice forgiveness.
• If greed arises, practice contentment.
• If ego arises, practice humility.
• If attachment arises, practice detachment.

This reflects Mahavir’s teaching that the soul must purify itself by its own effort.

4. Equanimity

Suppose someone praises us. We become happy and proud. Suppose someone criticizes us. We become disturbed and angry. Mahavir’s path teaches equanimity in both situations.

A spiritually mature person thinks:

• Praise does not make my soul greater.
• Criticism does not destroy my soul.
• My real work is to remove karma and passions.

This is samata, inner balance.

Spiritual Understanding

Bhagwan Mahavir’s last preaching reminds us that the soul is naturally pure, full of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. But it is covered by karmas due to passions and attachment.

The way to remove these karmas is not through blind belief, ritual alone, or dependence on another person. The way is:

• Right understanding
• Right awareness
• Right discipline
• Right conduct
• Deep detachment

For monks and nuns, this means complete renunciation and strict observance of the great vows.

For householders, it means living with restraint, compassion, honesty, limits on possessions, and spiritual awareness while fulfilling worldly responsibilities.

Takeaway

The last preaching of Bhagwan Mahavir was the essence of His entire message:

Purify the soul through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Live with ahimsa, detachment, self-discipline, and equanimity. Liberation is achieved by one’s own sincere effort.