Bhagwan Mahavir (Vardhamana): Apostle of Ahimsa and Spiritual Awakening

On the Occasion of the 2624th Birth Anniversary of Mahavir Jayanti

By Ravi Rohmetra

Bhagwan Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born into a royal family in what is now Bihar. At the time of his birth, the entire town witnessed prosperity in terms of agriculture, health, wealth, and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named Vardhamana by his parents.

At the age of thirty, he left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening (Diksha). After twelve and a half years of rigorous penance, he achieved enlightenment. He then travelled across India for the next thirty years to preach his philosophy, which is based on Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha. Mahavira attained Nirvana after his physical death at the age of 72. He is regarded as one of the greatest propagators of Jainism and more as a reformer than its founder.

The exact place of his birth remains uncertain. Historians have identified three possible locations in Bihar: Kundigram in Vaishali district, Lachuar in Jamui, and Kundaipur in Nalanda. Mahavira was born into the royal family of King Siddhartha of Kundagrama and Queen Trishala, sister of King Chetaka of Vaishali.

Ascetic Life and Awakening

At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced all comforts of royal life and adopted an ascetic path for spiritual awakening. He underwent severe penance, even living without clothes. The Acaranga Sutra provides vivid descriptions of the hardships and humiliation he endured.

In the eastern regions, he suffered greatly—people often insulted him, and even children pelted him with stones.

The Kalpa Sutra gives a detailed account of his ascetic life:

“The Venerable Ascetic Mahavira for a year and a month wore clothes; after that time he walked about naked and accepted alms in the hollow of his hand. For more than twelve years, he neglected his body and bore all pleasant and unpleasant occurrences arising from divine powers, men, or animals with equanimity.”

It further describes him as disciplined in conduct—careful in speech, movement, and actions; free from anger, pride, deceit, and greed; calm, composed, and detached from worldly ties.

After twelve and a half years of intense penance, he attained Kevalajnana—the realization of perfect perception, knowledge, power, and bliss. Jain texts like the Acharangasutra and Sutrakritanga describe him as all-seeing and all-knowing.

Teachings

For the next thirty years, Mahavira travelled extensively to spread his philosophy. His teachings are based on eight cardinal principles—three metaphysical and five ethical—aimed at elevating the quality of life.

The five ethical principles are:

• Ahimsa (Non-violence):Every living being has sanctity and dignity and deserves respect. One should show the utmost kindness to all forms of life.
• Satya (Truth):Truthfulness fosters harmony in society. One should speak the truth and respect others’ rights and property.
• Asteya (Non-stealing):One should not take anything that is not willingly given.
• Brahmacharya (Chastity):It emphasizes restraint over sensual and material desires.
• Aparigraha (Non-possession):It advocates detachment from material possessions and worldly attachments.

Mahavira taught that the pursuit of pleasure is endless; therefore, one must control desires to achieve mental balance and spiritual harmony. He emphasized voluntary limits on possessions to ensure social justice and equitable distribution of resources.

He warned that enforcing moral values through external authority could lead to hypocrisy. Instead, individuals and society should practice self-restraint to achieve peace, security, and enlightenment.

Nirvana and Legacy

At the age of 72 (468 BC), Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana. His soul achieved complete liberation (Moksha). He was cremated at Pawapuri, where the revered Jain temple Jalmandir stands today.

Mahavira is often depicted in a meditative posture, seated or standing, with a lion symbol beneath him.

Reincarnations and Textual References

Mahavira’s previous births are described in Jain texts such as the Trisastisalakapurusa Charitra and Mahapurana by Jinasena. Jain traditions recount numerous past lives before his final birth as a Tirthankara.

Among the most notable texts describing his life is the Kalpa Sutra by Bhadrabahu. The first Sanskrit biography of Mahavira, Vardhamacharitra, was written by Asaga in 853 CE.

According to Jain tradition, Mahavira is also linked to the first Tirthankara, Rishabha. He is believed to have been born earlier as Marichi, the grandson of Rishabha.

During his time, several contemporaries, such as Puran Kashyapa, Makhali Gosala, Ajit Keshkambli, Pakudha Kachchhayana, and Sanjaya Belatthiputta, also claimed spiritual prominence. However, Mahavira remains unparalleled in Jain universal history.

(Ravi Rohmetra is a social worker and writer; M: 9419652999; ravirohmetra@gmail.com)