Mahavira

Mahavira Biography

Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last tirthankara (propagator) of Jainism. He is also known by the name, Vardhamana, born in a royal family of Bihar. He is regarded as a reformer of Jainism rather than its founder and one of the most popular propagators of Jainism.

According to Jainism, Mahavira was born in 599 BCE. The exact place of birth of Mahavira is unknown. Historians assume that he was born in Basokund in Vaishali district, Lachhuar in Jamui or Kundalpur in Nalanda, all places belonging to Bihar. Traditionally, Kundalagrama in the ancient city of Vaishali is regarded his birthplace, though the location is still to be identified. He was born on the 13^th day of the rising moon of Chaitra in the Vira Nirvana Samvat calendar, that falls in March or April of Gregorian calendar.  In the Vyakhyaprajnapti, Mahavira acknowledges Devananda, a Brahmin woman as his real mother and that his embryo was transferred to a Kshatriya woman, Trisala. It’s told in Acaranga and Kalpa Sutras. Born in a royal family, he had a luxurious life. He was also known by the titles, Vira, Sanmati and Nataputta. Though there is difference in opinion, it’s believed that Mahavira was married to Yashoda and had one daughter, Priyadarshana.

At the age of 30, Mahavira abandoned all the comforts of royal life and left his home. He desired to live a spiritual life of a monk. He underwent severe penances, even without clothes and people often humiliated him. After twelve and a half years of rigorous penance he achieved kevalajnana. For the next 30 years Mahavira travelled throughout India preaching his philosophy. His philosophy has eight cardinal principles – three metaphysical and five ethical and its objectives were to elevate the quality of life. Mahavira is linked to the first tirthankara, Rishabha, according to Jain legends.

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Updated: December 28, 2013