c. 527 BCE[8] Pawapuri, Magadha (present-day Nalanda district, Bihar, India)
Parents
Siddhartha (father)
Trishala (mother)
Siblings
Nandivardhana Sudarśanā
Dynasty
Ikshvaku dynasty
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Mahavira (Devanagari: महावीर, Mahāvīra), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, Vardhamāna), was the 24th Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha.[11] Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE to a royal Jain family of ancient India. His mother's name was Trishala and his father's name was Siddhartha. They were lay devotees of Parshvanatha. Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and attained moksha (liberation) in the 6th century BCE, although the year varies by sect.
Mahavira taught that observance of the vows of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) are necessary for spiritual liberation. He taught the principles of Anekantavada (many-sided reality): syadvada and nayavada. Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Indrabhuti Gautama (his chief disciple) as the Jain Agamas. The texts, transmitted orally by Jain monks, are believed to have been largely lost by about the 1st century CE.
Mahavira is usually depicted in a sitting or standing meditative posture, with the symbol of a lion beneath him. His earliest iconography is from archaeological sites in the North Indian city of Mathura, and is dated from between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century CE. His birth is celebrated as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and his nirvana (salvation) and also his first shishya of Gautama Swami is observed by Jains as Diwali.
Historically, Mahavira, who revived and preached Jainism in ancient India, was an older contemporary of Gautama Buddha. Jains celebrate Mahavir Janma Kalyanak every year on the 13th day of the Indian Calendar month of Chaitra.[12]
^ abDundas 2002, p. 25.
^Davidson & Gitlitz 2002, p. 267.
^Kailash Chand Jain 1991, p. 38.
^Jaini 2000, p. 9.
^Hubbard 1807, p. 310.
^Dundas 2002, p. 276.
^Tandon 2002, p. 45.
^ abDundas 2002, p. 24.
^Doniger 1999, p. 682.
^"Jain Mandir, Kundalpur". Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
^Heehs 2002, p. 90.
^"Mahavir Jayanti | What, When, Why & How To Celebrate Mahavir Swami Jayanti". 17 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
Mahavira (Devanagari: महावीर, Mahāvīra), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, Vardhamāna), was the 24th Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of Jainism...
most important religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara (supreme preacher) of present Avasarpiṇī...
tirthankara Parshvanatha (c. 9th–8th century BCE) and the 24th tirthankara Mahavira (c. 599 – c. 527 BCE) are considered historical figures. According to Jain...
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temple is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (death)...
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years after the nirvana of Mahavira. In the Digambara tradition, the following lineage of teachers are revered: Mahavira, Gautama, Kundakunda, Bhadrabahu...
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historians date to the 9th century BCE, and the twenty-fourth tirthankara Mahavira, around 600 BCE. Jainism is considered an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras...
Magadha (Bihar) and continue to thrive in the modern age. Gautama Buddha and Mahavira are generally accepted as contemporaries. Jainism and Buddhism share many...
out of sandstone. In this statue lord Mahavira is sitting in padmasana posture. The iconic idol of Lord Mahavira, the principal deity of the pilgrimage...
Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara at the time of Mahavira Siddhartha (father of Mahavira) Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara Hinduism Kosala Kingdom Ramayana...
pilgrimage. This temple also temporarily housed the ancient 2,600 years idol of Mahavira from temple in The temple also has a dharamshala equipped with all modern...
principles of both are identical. Five mahāvratas (Great Vows), from Mahavira's teachings, are followed by all Jain ascetics of both the sects. Historians...
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Siddhartha was the father of Mahavira (Vardhamana), the 24th Jain Tirthankara. He was a Kshatriya King from the Ikshvaku dynasty and the ruler of the Nata...
born as Indrabhuti Gautama was the first Ganadhara (chief disciple) of Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara of present half cycle of time. He is...
their respective religions. Uttaradhyayana Sutra says he was a follower of Mahavira, whereas Sutta Nipata depicts him and his wife, Khema, as followers of...
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