Vīrastava
Mahāvīra praised through his many names — each name a doorway into one of his qualities.
Vīra-stava means praise of Vīra — Mahāvīra, “the great hero.” This short text praises him through a series of names and epithets. Its place in the 45 varies in some traditional lists.
The story
Many Names
He is called Arhat — worthy of worship. Jina — the conqueror. Vīra — the hero. Buddha — the awakened. Sarvajña — the all-knowing.
Each name is a quality the devotee remembers and hopes to grow toward.
The Hero Who Did Not Fight
Why “hero”? Not because Mahāvīra defeated armies, but because he defeated anger, pride, deceit and greed.
The Vīrastava praises that inner victory as the greatest courage of all.
Praise That Transforms
In Jainism, praise is not flattery to gain favours. The Jina does not grant wishes.
Praise is a mirror. In naming his qualities, we remember what our own soul can become.
What it teaches
- Mahāvīra is praised through many names
- His heroism is the conquest of inner passions
- Praise reminds us of our own potential
How the text is arranged
A short Prakīrṇaka praising Mahāvīra’s names and qualities. Some lists substitute a different text in this position.
To praise a hero is to remember what you could become.
Ask yourselfWhich of Mahāvīra’s names describes a quality you want most?