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Mahavira

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This article is about the 24th tirthankara of Jainism. For other topics, see Mahavira (disambiguation)

Mahavira
The idol of Lord Mahavira at Shri Mahaveer Ji Atishaya Kshetra, Karauli district of Rajasthan.
Other namesVira, Ativira, Vardhamana, Sanmatinatha[1][2][3][4][5]
Venerated inJainism
PredecessorParshvanatha
SuccessorPadmanābha / Mahāpadma (first Tirthankara of the ascending next half of time-cycle) [6]
MantraŚrī Mahāvīrāya Namaḥ
SymbolLion[7]
Age72
TreeShala
ComplexionGolden
FestivalsMahavir Janma Kalyanak, Diwali
Genealogy
Born
Vardhamāna

c. 599 BCE[8]
Kshatriyakund, (Shvetambara)[1][9]
Kundalpur/Kundapur, (Digambara)[10]
Nāya Republic or Nātha clan, Vajjika League (present-day Nalanda district, Bihar, India)
Died527 BCE[8][11]
Pawapuri, Magadha, Haryanka Empire (present-day Nalanda district, Bihar, India)
Parents
SiblingsNandivardhana
Sudarśanā
(Śvetāmbara)
SpouseYaśodā (Śvetāmbara)
Unmarried (Digambara)
ChildrenPriyadarśanā, also known as Anojjā (Śvetāmbara)
DynastyIkshvaku 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.[12] Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE to a royal Kshatriya Jain family of ancient India. His mother's name was Trishala and his father's name was Siddhartha. According to the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara Ācārāṅga Sūtra, Siddhartha and his family were devotees of Parshvanatha.[13][14] 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 attainment of samyak darshan or self realization (atma-anubhuti) through the practice of bhedvijnāna, which involves positioning oneself as a pure soul, separate from body, mind and emotions, and being aware of the soul's true nature; and to remain grounded and steadfast in soul's unchanging essence during varying auspicious or inauspicious external circumstances. He also preached that the 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 (liberation) 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.[15]

Names and epithets

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Surviving early Jain and Buddhist literature uses several names (or epithets) for Mahavira, including Nayaputta, Muni, Samana, Nigantha, Brahman, and Bhagavan.[1] In early Buddhist sutras, he is referred to as Araha ("worthy") and Veyavi (derived from "Vedas", but meaning "wise").[16] He is known as Sramana in the Kalpa Sūtra, "devoid of love and hate".[17]

According to later Jain texts, Mahavira's childhood name was Vardhamāna ("the one who grows") because of the kingdom's prosperity at the time of his birth.[13] According to the Kalpasutras, he was called Mahavira ("the great hero") by the gods in the Kalpa Sūtra because he remained steadfast in the midst of dangers, fears, hardships and calamities.[17] He is also known as a tirthankara.[18]

Historical Mahavira

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Map of India during the 6th century BCE
Ancient kingdoms and cities of India at the time of Mahavira

It is universally accepted by scholars of Jainism that Mahavira lived in ancient India.[19][20] According to the Digambara Uttarapurana text, Mahavira was born in Kundagrama in the Kingdom of the Videhas;[21] the Śvētāmbara Kalpa Sūtra uses the name "Kundagrama",[1][9] said to be located in present-day Bihar, India. Although it is thought to be the town of Basu Kund, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of Patna (the capital of Bihar),[22][23] his birthplace remains a subject of dispute.[1][19][24] Mahavira renounced his material wealth and left home when he was twenty-eight, by some accounts[25] (thirty by others),[26] lived an ascetic life for twelve and a half years in which he did not even sit for a time, attained Kevalgyana and then preached Dharma for thirty years.[25] Where he preached has been a subject of disagreement between the two major traditions of Jainism: Śvētāmbara and Digambara traditions.[1]

It is uncertain when Mahavira was born and when he died. One view is that Mahavira was born in 540 BCE and died in 443 BCE.[8][25] The Barli Inscription in Prakrit language which was inscribed in 443 BCE (year 84 of the Vira Nirvana Samvat), contains the line Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase, which can be interpreted as "dedicated to Lord Vira in his 84th year", 84 years after the Nirvana of the Mahavira.[27][28] However, palaeographic analysis dates the inscription to the 2nd-1st century BCE.[29] According to Buddhist and Jain texts, Buddha and Mahavira are believed to have been contemporaries which is supported by much ancient Buddhist literature.[8][22]

A firmly-established part of the Jain tradition is that the Vira Nirvana Samvat era began in 527 BCE (with Mahavira's nirvana).[8] The 12th-century Jain scholar Hemachandracharya placed Mahavira in the 6th century BCE.[30][31] According to Jain tradition, the traditional date of 527 BCE is accurate; the Buddha was younger than Mahavira and "might have attained nirvana a few years later".[32] The place of his nirvana, Pavapuri in present-day Bihar, is a pilgrimage site for Jains.[25]

Jain tradition

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See also: Panch Kalyanaka

According to Jain cosmology, 24 Tirthankaras have appeared on earth; Mahavira is the last tirthankara of Avasarpiṇī (the present time cycle).[note 1][34] A tirthankara (ford-maker, saviour or spiritual teacher) signifies the founding of a tirtha, a passage across the sea of birth-and-death cycles.[35][36][37]

Birth

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The birth of Mahavira, from the Kalpa Sūtra (c. 1375–1400 CE)
Mahavira, Kshatriyakund (birthplace in Śvetāmbara tradition)

Tirthankara Mahavira was born into a royal Kshatriya family of King Siddhartha of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and Queen Trishala of the Licchavi republic.[38][note 2] The Ikshvaku Dynasty was founded by the First tirthankara Rishabhanatha.[39][note 3]

According to Jains, Mahavira was born in 599 BCE. His birth date falls on the thirteenth day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra in the Vira Nirvana Samvat calendar era.[25][41][42] It falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar, and is celebrated by Jains as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak.[43]

Kshatriyakund (the place of Mahavira's birth) is traditionally believed to be near Vaishali, an ancient town on the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Its location in present-day Bihar is unclear, partly because of migrations from ancient Bihar for economic and political reasons.[1] According to the "Universal History" in Jain texts, Mahavira underwent many rebirths (total 27 births) before his birth in the 6th-century BCE. They included a denizen of hell, a lion, and a god (deva) in a heavenly realm just before his last birth as the 24th tirthankara.[44] Svetambara texts state that his embryo first formed in a Brahman woman before it was transferred by Hari-Naigamesin (the divine commander of Indra's army) to the womb of Trishala, Siddhartha's wife.[45][46][note 4] The embryo-transfer legend is not believed by adherents of the Digambara tradition.[48][49][50]

Jain texts state that after Mahavira was born, the god Indra came from the heavens along with 56 digkumaries, anointed him, and performed his abhisheka (consecration) on Mount Meru.[44] These events, illustrated in a number of Jain temples, play a part in modern Jain temple rituals.[51] Although the Kalpa Sūtra accounts of Mahavira's birth legends are recited by Svetambara Jains during the annual Paryushana festival, the same festival is observed by the Digambaras without the recitation.[52]

Early life

[edit]

Mahavira grew up as a prince. According to the second chapter of the Śvētāmbara text Ācārāṅga Sūtra, his parents were lay devotees of Parshvanatha.[13][14] Jain traditions differ about whether Mahavira married.[49][53] The Digambara tradition believes that his parents wanted him to marry Yashoda, but he refused to marry.[54][note 5] The Śvētāmbara tradition believes that he was married to Yashoda at a young age and had one daughter, Priyadarshana,[23][44] also called Anojja.[56]

Jain texts portray Mahavira as tall; his height was given as four cubits (6 feet) in the Aupapatika Sutra.[57] According to Jain texts, he was the shortest of the twenty-four tirthankaras; earlier arihants were believed to have been taller, with Neminatha or Aristanemi —the 22nd tirthankara, who lived for 1,000 years—said to have been sixty-five cubits (98 feet) in height.[58] ll). Folio 60 from Kalpasutra series, loose leaf manuscript, Patan, Gujarat. c. 1472.]] Jain texts document eleven Brahmanas as Mahavira's first disciples, traditionally known as the eleven Ganadharas.[59] Indrabhuti Gautama is believed to have been their leader,[60] and the others included Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Akampita, Arya Vyakta, Sudharman, Manditaputra, Mauryaputra, Acalabhraataa, Metraya, and Prabhasa. The Ganadharas are believed to have remembered and to have verbally transmitted Mahavira's teachings after his death. His teachings became known as Gani-Pidaga, or the Jain Agamas.[61] According to Kalpa Sutra, Mahavira had 14,000 sadhus (male ascetic devotees), 36,000 sadhvis (female ascetics), 159,000 sravakas (male lay followers), and 318,000 sravikas (female lay followers).[12][62][63] Jain tradition mentions Srenika and Kunika of Haryanka dynasty (popularly known as Bimbisara and Ajatashatru) and Chetaka of Videha as his royal followers.[64][65] Mahavira initiated his mendicants with the mahavratas (Five Vows).[59] He delivered fifty-five pravachana (recitations) and a set of lectures (Uttaraadhyayana-sutra).[66] Chandana is believed to be the leader of female monastic order.[67]


Five Vows

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Main article: Ethics of Jainism
Tan stone relief of the Jain swastika and its five vows
The swastika and five vows

The Jain Agamas enumerate five vratas (vows) which ascetics and householders must observe.[68] These ethical principles were preached by Mahavira:[66][69]

  1. Ahimsa (Non-violence or non-injury): Mahavira taught that every living being has sanctity and dignity which should be respected as one expects one's own sanctity and dignity to be respected. Ahimsa, Jainism's first and most important vow, applies to actions, speech, and thought.[70]
  2. Satya (truthfulness): Applies to oneself and others.[70]
  3. Asteya (non-stealing): Not "taking anything that has not been given"[71]
  4. Brahmacharya (chastity): Abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures for monks, and faithfulness to one's partner for householders[70][72]
  5. Aparigraha (non-attachment): For lay people, an attitude of non-attachment to property or worldly possessions; for mendicants, not owning anything[73]

The goal of these principles is to achieve spiritual peace, a better rebirth, or (ultimately) liberation.[74][75][76] According to Chakravarthi, these teachings help improve a person's quality of life.[77] However, Paul Dundas writes that Mahavira's emphasis on non-violence and restraint has been interpreted by some Jain scholars to "not be driven by merit from giving or compassion to other creatures, nor a duty to rescue all creatures" but by "continual self discipline": a cleansing of the soul which leads to spiritual development and release.[78]

Mahavira is best remembered in the Indian traditions for his teaching that ahimsa is the supreme moral virtue.[66][79] He taught that ahimsa covers all living beings,[80] and injuring any being in any form creates bad karma (which affects one's rebirth, future well-being, and suffering).[81] According to Mahatma Gandhi, Mahavira was the greatest authority on ahimsa.[82][83][84]

Soul

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Main article: Jīva (Jainism)

Mahavira taught that the soul exists. There is no soul (or self) in Buddhism, and its teachings are based on the concept of anatta (non-self).[85][86][87] Mahavira taught that the soul is dravya (substantial), eternal, and yet temporary.[88]

To Mahavira, the metaphysical nature of the universe consists of dravya, jiva, and ajiva (inanimate objects).[65] The jiva is bound to saṃsāra (transmigration) because of karma (the effects of one's actions).[65] Karma, in Jainism, includes actions and intent; it colors the soul (lesya), affecting how, where, and as what a soul is reborn after death.[89]

According to Mahavira, there is no creator deity and existence has neither beginning nor end. Deities and demons however exist in Jainism , whose jivas are a part of the same cycle of birth and death.[90] The goal of spiritual practice is to liberate the jiva from its karmic accumulation and enter the realm of the siddhas, souls who are liberated from rebirth.[91] Enlightenment, to Mahavira, is the consequence of self awareness, self-cultivation and restraint from materialism.[78]

Bhedvijnāna

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Mahavira also taught the concept of Bhedvijnān, or the science of distinguishing between the soul (jiva) and the non-soul (ajiva). Central to his teachings, bhedvijnān is the practice of realizing the distinction between the pure soul, which is eternal, formless, and independent, and the temporary, external aspects of existence such as body, thoughts, emotions, and karmic influences.

According to Mahavira, this understanding is crucial for attainment of nischay Samyak darshan (experiential self realization). He emphasized that human suffering arises from the false identification of the soul with material objects, including the body and mind. The teachings of bhedvijnān guide an individual to recognize what is truly the self (soul) and what is not, and remain aware of this separation. By distinguishing between the pure soul and the transient elements of life, one can cultivate detachment (vairagya) and move toward liberation (moksha). This was expounded in detail in works of Acharya Kundkund, Acharya Haribhadra, Yashovijaya and Shrimad Rajchandra.[92]

Bhedvigyan plays a key role in the progression towards self-realization. It serves as a stepping stone in the process of spiritual awakening, where the aspirant first becomes aware of their mistaken identity with the non-soul as their witness (bhed-nasti), and later become aware of the existence and true nature of the soul itself (asti). This process ultimately leads to the direct experience of the soul in a state of pure awareness, destroying karmic attachments.[93]

In Jainism, this knowledge is considered the foundation for developing right belief (samyak darshan) and attaining samyak gyan (omniscience).

Anekantavada

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Main article: Anekantavada

Mahavira taught the doctrine of anekantavada (many-sided reality).[94][95][96] Although the word does not appear in the earliest Jain literature or the Agamas, the doctrine is illustrated in Mahavira's answers to questions posed by his followers.[94] Truth and reality are complex, and have a number of aspects. Reality can be experienced, but it is impossible to express it fully with language alone; human attempts to communicate are nayas ("partial expression[s] of the truth").[94] Language itself is not truth, but a means of expressing it. From truth, according to Mahavira, language returns—not the other way around.[94][97] One can experience the "truth" of a taste, but cannot fully express that taste through language. Any attempt to express the experience is syāt: valid "in some respect", but still a "perhaps, just one perspective, incomplete".[97] Spiritual truths are also complex, with multiple aspects, and language cannot express their plurality; however, they can be experienced through effort and appropriate karma.[94]

Mahavira's anekantavada doctrine is also summarized in Buddhist texts such as the Samaññaphala Sutta (in which he is called Nigantha Nātaputta),[note 6][98] and is a key difference between the teachings of Mahavira and those of the Buddha. The Buddha taught the Middle Way, rejecting the extremes of "it is" or "it is not"; Mahavira accepted both "it is" and "it is not", with reconciliation and the qualification of "perhaps".[99]

The Jain Agamas suggest that Mahavira's approach to answering metaphysical, philosophical questions was a "qualified yes" (syāt). A version of this doctrine is also found in the Ajivika school of ancient Indian philosophy.[100][101]

According to Dundas, the anekantavada doctrine has been interpreted by many Jains as "promot[ing] a universal religious tolerance ... plurality ... [and a] ... benign attitude to other [ethical, religious] positions"; however, this misreads Jain historical texts and Mahavira's teachings.[102] Mahavira's "many pointedness, multiple perspective" teachings are a doctrine about the nature of reality and human existence, not about tolerating religious positions such as sacrificing animals (or killing them for food) or violence against nonbelievers (or any other living being) as "perhaps right".[102] The five vows for Jain monks and nuns are strict requirements, with no "perhaps".[103] Mahavira's Jainism co-existed with Buddhism and Hinduism beyond the renunciant Jain communities, but each religion was "highly critical of the knowledge systems and ideologies of their rivals".[104]

Gender

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A historically contentious view in Jainism is partially attributed to Mahavira and his ascetic life; he did not wear clothing, as a sign of renunciation (the fifth vow, aparigraha). It was disputed whether a female mendicant (sadhvi) could achieve the spiritual liberation like a male mendicant (sadhu) through asceticism.[105][106]

The digambar sect (the sky-clad, naked mendicant order) believed that a woman is unable to fully practice asceticism and cannot achieve spiritual liberation because of her gender; she can, at best, live an ethical life so she is reborn as a man.[note 7] According to this view, women are seen as a threat to a monk's chastity.[108]

Mahavira had preached about men and women equality. The Svetambaras have interpreted Mahavira's teaching as encouraging both sexes to pursue a mendicant, ascetic life with the possibility of moksha (kaivalya, spiritual liberation).[108][106][109]

Rebirth and realms of existence

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Main article: Saṃsāra (Jainism)

Rebirth and realms of existence are fundamental teachings of Mahavira. According to the Acaranga Sutra, Mahavira believed that life existed in myriad forms which included animals, plants, insects, bodies of water, fire, and wind.[81][110] He taught that a monk should avoid touching or disturbing any of them (including plants) and never swim, light (or extinguish) a fire, or wave their arms in the air; such actions might injure other beings living in those states of matter.[81]

Mahavira preached that the nature of existence is cyclic, and the soul is reborn after death in one of the trilok – the heavenly, hellish, or earthly realms of existence and suffering.[111] Humans are reborn, depending on one's karma (actions) as a human, animal, element, microbe, or other form, on earth or in a heavenly (or hellish) realm.[81][112][113] Nothing is permanent; everyone (including gods, demons and earthly beings) dies and is reborn, based on their actions in their previous life. Jinas who have reached Kevala Jnana (omniscience) are not reborn;[81] they enter the siddhaloka, the "realm of the perfected ones".[112]

Legacy

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= According to Dundas, Jains believe that the lineage of Parshvanatha influenced Mahavira. Parshvanatha, as the one who "removes obstacles and has the capacity to save", is a popular icon; his image is the focus of Jain temple devotion.[114] Of the 24 tirthankaras, Jain iconography has celebrated Mahavira and Parshvanatha the most; sculptures discovered at the Mathura archaeological site have been dated to the 1st century BCE.[114][115][116] According to Moriz Winternitz, Mahavira may be considered a reformer of an existing Jain sect known as Niganthas (fetter-less) which was mentioned in early Buddhist texts.[117] The Barli Inscription dating back to 443 BCE contains the line Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase, which can be interpreted as "dedicated to Lord Vira in his 84th year".[118]

Festivals

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Two major annual Jain festivals associated with Mahavira are Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and Diwali. During Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jains celebrate Mahavira's birth as the 24th and last tirthankara of avasarpiṇī (the current time cycle).[43] During Mahavir JanmaKalyanak, the five auspicious events of Mahavira's life are re-enacted.[119] Diwali commemorates the anniversary of Mahavira's nirvana, and is celebrated at the same time as the Hindu festival. Diwali marks the New Year for Jains.[120]

Worship

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See caption
Mahavira worship in a manuscript c. 1825

Samantabhadra's Svayambhustotra praises the twenty-four tirthankaras, and its eight shlokas (songs) adore Mahavira.[121] One such shloka reads:

O Lord Jina! Your doctrine that expounds essential attributes required of a potential aspirant to cross over the ocean of worldly existence (Saṃsāra) reigns supreme even in this strife-ridden spoke of time (Pancham Kaal). Accomplished sages who have invalidated the so-called deities that are famous in the world, and have made ineffective the whip of all blemishes, adore your doctrine.[122]

Samantabhadra's Yuktyanusasana is a 64-verse poem which also praises Mahavira.[123]

Influence

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Michael H. Hart ranked him 100th in his 1978 book, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”, below the Buddha (ranked 4th) and Ashoka (ranked 53rd).[124] According to Pantheon's 2024 Historical Popularity Index (HPI), Mahavira is ranked 19th among the most famous Indian people of all time.[125]

Mahavira's teachings were influential. According to Rabindranath Tagore,

Mahavira proclaimed in India that religion is a reality and not a mere social convention. It is really true that salvation can not be had by merely observing external ceremonies. Religion cannot make any difference between man and man.

— Rabindranath Tagore[83][84]

An event associated with the 2,500th anniversary of Mahavira's nirvana was held in 1974:[126]

Probably few people in the West are aware that during this Anniversary year for the first time in their long history, the mendicants of the Śvētāmbara, Digambara and Sthānakavāsī sects assembled on the same platform, agreed upon a common flag (Jaina dhvaja) and emblem (pratīka); and resolved to bring about the unity of the community. For the duration of the year four dharma cakras, a wheel mounted on a chariot as an ancient symbol of the samavasaraṇa (Holy Assembly) of tīrthaṅkara Mahavira traversed to all the major cities of India, winning legal sanctions from various state governments against the slaughter of animals for sacrifice or other religious purposes, a campaign which has been a major preoccupation of the Jainas throughout their history.

— Padmanabh Jaini

Iconography

[edit]
Mahavira iconography is distinguished by a lion stamped (or carved) beneath his feet; a Shrivatsa is on his chest.

Mahavira is usually depicted in a sitting (or standing) meditative pose, with a lion symbol beneath him;[127] each tīrthankara has a distinct emblem, which allows worshippers to distinguish similar idols.[128] Mahavira's lion emblem is usually carved below his legs. Like all tirthankaras, he is depicted with a Shrivatsa in Shetamber tradition.[note 8] The yoga pose is very common in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Each tradition has had a distinctive auspicious chest mark that allows devotees to identify a meditating statue to symbolic icon for their theology. There are several srivasta found in ancient and medieval Jain art works, and these are not found on Buddhist or Hindu art works.[129][130] and downcast eyes in digamber tradition while in Shetamber tradition it is wide open.

Mahavira's earliest iconography is from archaeological sites in the north Indian city of Mathura, dated from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.[131][132] The srivatsa mark on his chest and his dhyana-mudra posture appears in Kushana Empire-era artwork. Differences in Mahavira's depiction between the Digambara and Svetambara traditions appear in the late 5th century CE.[131] According to John Cort, the earliest archaeological evidence of Jina iconography with inscriptions precedes its datable texts by over 250 years.[133]

Many images of Mahavira have been dated to the 12th century and earlier;[134] an ancient sculpture was found in a cave in Sundarajapuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu. K. Ajithadoss, a Jain scholar in Chennai, dated it to the 9th century.[135]

Jivantasvami represents Mahavira as a princely state. The Jina is represented as standing in the kayotsarga pose wearing crown and ornaments.[136]

[edit]
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