Mahavira

Mahavira (Devanagari: महावीर, ), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, ), was the founder of Jainism and the 24th ''Tirthankara'' (Supreme Teacher). He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''Tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. 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. Provided by Wikipedia