Vardhman Mahavira

Vardhman Mahavira History

He was born in Kundagram (Distt Muzafffarpur, Bihar) in 599 BC. His father Siddhartha was the head of Jnatrika clan. His mother was Trishla, sister of Lichchavi Prince Chetak of Vaishali. Mahavira was related to Bimbisara. Married to Yashoda, had a daughter named Priyadarsena, whose husband Jamali became his first disciple. At 30, after the death of his parents, he became an ascetic. In the 13th year of his asceticism (on the 10th of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya). From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains. He also got the title of Arihant, i.e., worthy. At the age of 72, he attained death at Pava, near Patna, in 527 BC. Mahavira preached almost the same message as Parshvanath and added one more, Brahmcharya (celibacy) to it. After the death of Mahavira, during the reign of King Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine led to a great exodus of Jain monks from the Ganga valley to the Deccan, where they established important centers of their faith. This migration led to a great schism in Jainism. Bhadrabahu, who led the emigrants, insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity which Mahavira had established. Sthulabhadra, the leader of the monks who remained in the north, allowed his followers to wear white garments, owing to the hardships and confusions of the famine. Hence arose the two sects of the Jains, the Digambaras (sky-clad, i.e., naked) and the Svetambaras (white-clad).

Teachings of Mahavira

Rejected the authority of the Vedas and do not attach any importance to the performance of sacrifices. He believed that every object, even the smallest particle, possesses a soul and is endowed with consciousness. That is why they observe strict non-violence. The Jains reject the concept of a Universal Soul or a Supreme Power as the creator or Sustainer of the universe. Jainism does not deny the existence of gods but refuses to give gods any important part in die universe scheme. Gods are placed lower than the Jina. Attainment of salvation (moksha) by believing in penance and dying of starvation (Main difference between Jainism and Buddhism). Universal brotherhood (non-belief in caste system).