Mahavira. Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth tirthankara in Jainism who is believed to have revived and reorganized the religion.
He expounded the spiritual, philosophical and ethical teachings of the previous tirthankaras from the remote pre-Vedic era. He was the spiritual successor of 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha.
In the Jain tradition, it is known that Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century BCE into a royal Kshatriya family in present-day Bihar, India. He abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic.
Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for 12 years, after which he is believed to have attained Kevala Jnana. He preached for 30 years and is believed by Jains to have attained moksha in the 6th century BC, although the year varies by sect.
Historically, Mahavira was a contemporary to Gautama Buddha who preached Jainism in ancient India. Scholars variedly date him from 6th-4th century BC and his place of birth are also a point of dispute among them. Mahavira taught that observance of the vows of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha is necessary for spiritual liberation. He taught the principles of Anekantavada: syadvada and nayavada. Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Indrabhuti Gautama as the Jain Agamas. The texts, transmitted orally
He expounded the spiritual, philosophical and ethical teachings of the previous tirthankaras from the remote pre-Vedic era. He was the spiritual successor of 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha.
In the Jain tradition, it is known that Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century BCE into a royal Kshatriya family in present-day Bihar, India. He abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic.
Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for 12 years, after which he is believed to have attained Kevala Jnana. He preached for 30 years and is believed by Jains to have attained moksha in the 6th century BC, although the year varies by sect.
Historically, Mahavira was a contemporary to Gautama Buddha who preached Jainism in ancient India. Scholars variedly date him from 6th-4th century BC and his place of birth are also a point of dispute among them. Mahavira taught that observance of the vows of ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha is necessary for spiritual liberation. He taught the principles of Anekantavada: syadvada and nayavada. Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Indrabhuti Gautama as the Jain Agamas. The texts, transmitted orally
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