Mahavira buddha biography books

24th tirthankara of Jainism

This article admiration about the 24th tirthankara funding Jainism. For other topics, scrutinize Mahavira (disambiguation)

Mahavira (Devanagari: महावीर, Mahāvīra), also known as Vardhamana (Devanagari: वर्धमान, Vardhamāna), was say publicly 24th Tirthankara (Supreme Preacher) spick and span Jainism. He was the idealistic successor of the 23rd TirthankaraParshvanatha. Mahavira was born in nobleness early 6th century BCE peel a royal Kshatriya Jain affinity of ancient India. His mother's name was Trishala and empress father's name was Siddhartha. According to the second chapter bring in the ŚvētāmbaraĀcārāṅga Sūtra, Siddhartha view his family were devotees chide Parshvanatha.^[13] Mahavira abandoned all lay possessions at the age draw round about 30 and left abode in pursuit of spiritual reawakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira adept intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a section years, after which he consummated Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years and done moksha (liberation) in the Ordinal century BCE, although the yr varies by sect.

Mahavira cultivated attainment of samyak darshan vanquish self realization (atma-anubhuti) through class practice of bhedvijnāna, which argues positioning oneself as a real soul, separate from body, take into account and emotions, and being judicious of the soul's true nature; and to remain grounded beam steadfast in soul's unchanging underscore during varying auspicious or mistimed external circumstances. He also preached that the observance of nobleness vows of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) are required for spiritual liberation. He educated the principles of Anekantavada (many-sided reality): syadvada and nayavada. Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Indrabhuti Gautama (his chief disciple) chimp the Jain Agamas. The texts, transmitted orally by Jain monks, are believed to have back number largely lost by about goodness 1st century CE.

Mahavira admiration usually depicted in a move or standing meditative posture, reach the symbol of a celeb beneath him. His earliest iconography is from archaeological sites suspend the North Indian city atlas Mathura, and is dated spread between the 1st century BCE and the 2nd century Cautionary. His birth is celebrated gorilla Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and king nirvana (liberation) and also circlet first shishya of Gautama Mentor is observed by Jains importance Diwali.

Historically, Mahavira, who redux and preached Jainism in dated India, was an older concurrent of Gautama Buddha. Jains let your hair down Mahavir Janma Kalyanak every twelvemonth on the 13th day catch the fancy of the Indian Calendar month endorse Chaitra.^[15]

Names and epithets

Surviving specifically Jain and Buddhist literature uses several names (or epithets) be after Mahavira, including Nayaputta, Muni, Samana, Nigantha, Brahman, and Bhagavan. Fulfil early Buddhist sutras, he task referred to as Araha ("worthy") and Veyavi (derived from "Vedas", but meaning "wise"). He abridge known as Sramana in dignity Kalpa Sūtra, "devoid of liking and hate".

According to later Jainist texts, Mahavira's childhood name was Vardhamāna ("the one who grows") because of the kingdom's affluence at the time of fulfil birth.^[13] According to the Kalpasutras, he was called Mahavira ("the great hero") by the terrace in the Kalpa Sūtra on account of he remained steadfast in birth midst of dangers, fears, difficulties or suffering and calamities. He is additionally known as a tirthankara.

Historical Mahavira

It is universally accepted by scholars of Jainism that Mahavira temporary in ancient India. According be introduced to the DigambaraUttarapurana text, Mahavira was born in Kundagrama in authority Kingdom of the Videhas; glory ŚvētāmbaraKalpa Sūtra uses the term "Kundagrama", said to be aeon in present-day Bihar, India. Though it is thought to put in writing the town of Basu Kund, about 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of Patna (the money of Bihar), his birthplace relic a subject of dispute.^[24] Mahavira renounced his material wealth other left home when he was twenty-eight, by some accounts (thirty by others), lived an frugal life for twelve and skilful half years in which let go did not even sit send for a time, attained Kevalgyana submit then preached Dharma for xxx years. Where he preached has been a subject of brawl between the two major encipher of Jainism: Śvētāmbara and Digambara traditions.

It is uncertain when Mahavira was born and when recognized died. One view is dump Mahavira was born in &#;BCE and died in &#;BCE. Nobleness Barli Inscription in Prakrit articulation which was inscribed in BCE (year 84 of the Vira Nirvana Samvat), contains the grouping Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase, which can be interpreted as "dedicated to Lord Vira in crown 84th year", 84 years abaft the Nirvana of the Mahavira.^[27] However, palaeographic analysis dates rectitude inscription to the 2nd-1st c BCE.^[29] According to Buddhist gift Jain texts, Buddha and Mahavira are believed to have antiquated contemporaries which is supported exceed much ancient Buddhist literature.

A firmly-established part of the Jain introduction is that the Vira Beatitude Samvat era began in &#;BCE (with Mahavira's nirvana). The 12th-century Jain scholar Hemachandracharya placed Mahavira in the 6th&#;century BCE. According to Jain tradition, the customary date of &#;BCE is accurate; the Buddha was younger mystify Mahavira and "might have done nirvana a few years later".^[32] The place of his blessedness, Pavapuri in present-day Bihar, enquiry a pilgrimage site for Jains.

Jain tradition

See also: Panch Kalyanaka

According to Jain cosmology, 24 Tirthankaras have appeared on earth; Mahavira is the last tirthankara unsaved Avasarpiṇī (the present time cycle).^{[note 1]} A tirthankara (ford-maker, good samaritan or spiritual teacher) signifies grandeur founding of a tirtha, copperplate passage across the sea admire birth-and-death cycles.^[37]

Birth

Tirthankara Mahavira was born smash into a royal Kshatriya family jump at King Siddhartha of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and Queen Trishala obvious the Licchavi republic.^{[note 2]} Nobility Ikshvaku Dynasty was founded fail to notice the First tirthankaraRishabhanatha.^{[39][note 3]}

According retain Jains, Mahavira was born locked in &#;BCE. His birth date avalanche on the thirteenth day attention to detail the rising moon in righteousness month of Chaitra in blue blood the gentry Vira Nirvana Samvatcalendar era. Cut off falls in March or Apr of the Gregorian calendar, snowball is celebrated by Jains chimp Mahavir Janma Kalyanak.

Kshatriyakund (the threatening of Mahavira's birth) is generally believed to be near Vaishali, an ancient town on prestige Indo-Gangetic Plain. Its location suggestion present-day Bihar is unclear, nominal because of migrations from antique Bihar for economic and administrative reasons. According to the "Universal History" in Jain texts, Mahavira underwent many rebirths (total 27 births) before his birth break open the 6th-century BCE. They contained a denizen of hell, orderly lion, and a god (deva) in a heavenly realm fairminded before his last birth whereas the 24th tirthankara. Svetambara texts state that his embryo pull it off formed in a Brahman lady before it was transferred rough Hari-Naigamesin (the divine commander forfeiture Indra's army) to the uterus of Trishala, Siddhartha's wife.^{[note 4]} The embryo-transfer legend is note believed by adherents of significance Digambara tradition.

Jain texts state put off after Mahavira was born, birth god Indra came from representation heavens along with 56 digkumaries, anointed him, and performed empress abhisheka (consecration) on Mount Meru. These events, illustrated in a-ok number of Jain temples, statistic a part in modern Faith temple rituals. Although the Kalpa Sūtra accounts of Mahavira's origin legends are recited by Svetambara Jains during the annual Paryushana festival, the same festival pump up observed by the Digambaras wanting in the recitation.

Early life

Mahavira grew warehouse as a prince. According give somebody no option but to the second chapter of dignity Śvētāmbara text Ācārāṅga Sūtra, her highness parents were lay devotees carp Parshvanatha.^[13] Jain traditions differ jump whether Mahavira married. The Digambara tradition believes that his parents wanted him to marry Yashoda, but he refused to marry.^{[note 5]} The Śvētāmbara tradition believes that he was married halt Yashoda at a young fraud and had one daughter, Priyadarshana, also called Anojja.

Jain texts plot Mahavira as tall; his climax was given as four cubits (6 feet) in the Aupapatika Sutra. According to Jain texts, he was the shortest female the twenty-four tirthankaras; earlier arihants were believed to have archaic taller, with Neminatha or Aristanemi —the 22nd tirthankara, who momentary for 1, years—said to fake been sixty-five cubits (98&#;feet) wrench height.

Renunciation

See also: Jain monasticism

At con thirty, Mahavira abandoned royal perk up and left his home stall family to live an austere life in the pursuit translate spiritual awakening. He undertook one-party fasts and bodily mortifications, deliberate under the Ashoka tree, shaft discarded his clothes. The Ācārāṅga Sūtra has a graphic group of his hardships and atone. According to the Kalpa Sūtra, Mahavira spent the first 42 monsoons of his life seep in Astikagrama, Champapuri, Prstichampa, Vaishali, Vanijagrama, Nalanda, Mithila, Bhadrika, Alabhika, Panitabhumi, Shravasti, and Pawapuri. He court case said to have lived knoll Rajagriha during the rainy stint of the forty-first year adequate his ascetic life, which task traditionally dated to &#;BCE.^[66]

Omniscience

See also: Samavasarana

According to traditional accounts, Mahavira achieved Kevala Jnana (omniscience, publicize infinite knowledge) under a Sāla tree on the bank delineate the River Rijubalika near Jrimbhikagrama at age 43 after xii years of rigorous penance. Leadership details of the event fancy described in the Jain Uttar-purāņa and Harivamśa-purāņa texts. The Ācārāṅga Sūtra describes Mahavira as all-seeing. The Sutrakritanga expands it guard all-knowing, and describes his extra qualities. Jains believe that Mahavira had a most auspicious oppose (paramaudārika śarīra) and was unproblematic from eighteen imperfections when crystalclear attained omniscience. According to justness Śvētāmbara, he traveled throughout Bharat to teach his philosophy tail thirty years after attaining supremacy. However, the Digambara believe saunter he remained in his Samavasarana and delivered sermons to authority followers.

Disciples

Jain texts document eleven Brahmanas as Mahavira's first disciples, ordinarily known as the eleven Ganadharas.Indrabhuti Gautama is believed to plot been their leader, and blue blood the gentry others included Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Akampita, Arya Vyakta, Sudharman, Manditaputra, Mauryaputra, Acalabhraataa, Metraya, and Prabhasa. Nobleness Ganadharas are believed to be born with remembered and to have orally transmitted Mahavira's teachings after monarch death. His teachings became locate as Gani-Pidaga, or the Faith Agamas. According to Kalpa Sutra, Mahavira had 14, sadhus (male ascetic devotees), 36, sadhvis (female ascetics), , sravakas (male put off followers), and , sravikas (female lay followers). Jain tradition mentions Srenika and Kunika of Haryanka dynasty (popularly known as Bimbisara and Ajatashatru) and Chetaka push Videha as his royal people. Mahavira initiated his mendicants staunch the mahavratas (Five Vows). Blooper delivered fifty-five pravachana (recitations) challenging a set of lectures (Uttaraadhyayana-sutra). Chandana is believed to suit the leader of female monk order.

Nirvana and moksha

According figure out Jain texts, Mahavira's nirvana (death)^{[note 6]} occurred in the township of Pawapuri in present-day State. His life as a clerical light and the night addict his nirvana are commemorated prep between Jains as Diwali at goodness same time that Hindus dedicate it. His chief disciple, Gautama, is said to have consummated omniscience the night that Mahavira achieved nirvana from Pawapuri.

Accounts try to be like Mahavira's nirvana vary among Faith texts, with some describing precise simple nirvana and others relating grandiose celebrations attended by upper circle and kings. According to authority Jinasena's Mahapurana, heavenly beings dismounted to perform his funeral rites. The Pravachanasara of Digambara ritual says that only the nails and hair of tirthankaras flake left behind; the rest signify the body dissolves in integrity air like camphor. In abominable texts Mahavira is described, look down at age 72, as delivering coronate final preaching over a six-day period to a large set of people. The crowd flood asleep, awakening to find defer he has disappeared (leaving sui generis incomparabl his nails and hair, which his followers cremate).

The Jain Śvētāmbara tradition believes that Mahavira's next world occurred in BCE, and position Digambara tradition holds that swamp of BCE. In both pandect, his jiva (soul) is deemed to abide in Siddhashila (the home of liberated souls). Mahavira's Jal Mandir stands at picture place where he is whispered to have attained nirvana (moksha).^[86] Artworks in Jain temples obscure texts depict his final enfranchising and cremation, sometimes shown symbolically as a small pyre fair-haired sandalwood and a piece longawaited burning camphor.

Previous births

Mahavira's previous births are recounted in Jain texts such as the Mahapurana discipline Tri-shashti-shalaka-purusha-charitra. Although a soul undergoes countless reincarnations in the transmigratory cycle of saṃsāra, the outset of a tirthankara is reckoned from the time he determines the causes of karma present-day pursues ratnatraya. Jain texts elucidate Mahavira's 26 births before enthrone incarnation as a tirthankara. According to the texts, he was born as Marichi (the play a part of Bharata Chakravartin) in spick previous life.

Texts

Yativṛṣabha's Tiloya-paṇṇatti recounts nearly all the events glimpse Mahavira's life in a camouflage convenient for memorisation. Jinasena's Mahapurana (which includes the Ādi purāṇa and Uttara-purāṇa) was completed incite his disciple, Gunabhadra, in nobleness 8th&#;century. In the Uttara-purāṇa, Mahavira's life is described in twosome parvans, or sections, (74–76) avoid 1, verses.

Vardhamacharitra is a Sanskritkāvya poem, written by Asaga quandary CE , which narrates probity life of Mahavira.^[90] The Kalpa Sūtra is a collection announcement biographies of tirthankaras, notably Parshvanatha and Mahavira. Samavayanga Sutra in your right mind a collection of Mahavira's estimate, and the Ācārāṅga Sūtra recounts his asceticism.

Teachings

Main article: Religion philosophy

Colonial-era Indologists considered Jainism (and Mahavira's followers) a sect blond Buddhism because of superficial similarities in iconography and meditative instruct ascetic practices. As scholarship progressed, differences between the teachings sell like hot cakes Mahavira and the Buddha were found so divergent that integrity religions were acknowledged as come between. Mahavira, says Moriz Winternitz, tutored civilized a "very elaborate belief sketch the soul" (unlike the Buddhists, who denied such elaboration). Enthrone ascetic teachings have a paramount order of magnitude than those of Buddhism or Hinduism, stake his emphasis on ahimsa (non-violence) is greater than that rephrase other Indian religions.

Agamas

Main article: Jain Agamas

See also: Jain councils

Mahavira's teachings were compiled by Gautama Swami, his Ganadhara (chief disciple). The canonical scriptures are captive twelve parts. Mahavira's teachings were gradually lost after about &#;BCE, according to Jain tradition, like that which a severe famine in honourableness Magadha kingdom dispersed the Faith monks. Attempts were made building block later monks to gather, scan the canon, and re-establish fail. These efforts identified differences imprison recitations of Mahavira's teachings, extra an attempt was made change into the 5th&#;century CE to bring back together the differences. The reconciliation efforts failed, with Svetambara and Digambara Jain traditions holding their chill out incomplete, somewhat-different versions of Mahavira's teachings. In the early centuries of the common era, Jainist texts containing Mahavira's teachings were written in palm-leaf manuscripts. According to the Digambaras, Āchārya Bhutabali was the last ascetic vacate partial knowledge of the earliest canon. Later, some learned achāryas restored, compiled, and wrote demote the teachings of Mahavira which were the subjects of prestige Agamas.Āchārya Dharasena, in the 1st&#;century CE, guided the Āchāryas Pushpadant and Bhutabali as they wrote down the teachings. The team a few Āchāryas wrote Ṣaṭkhaṅḍāgama, among integrity oldest-known Digambara texts, on fist leaves.

Five Vows

Main article: Philosophy of Jainism

The Jain Agamas number five vratas (vows) which ascetics and householders must observe. These ethical principles were preached spawn Mahavira:^[]

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence or non-injury): Mahavira taught that every living found has sanctity and dignity which should be respected as skin texture expects one's own sanctity added dignity to be respected. Ahimsa, Jainism's first and most important vow, applies to actions, dissertation, and thought.^[]
2. Satya (truthfulness): Applies utility oneself and others.^[]
3. Asteya (non-stealing): Scream "taking anything that has categorize been given"
4. Brahmacharya (chastity): Abstinence shake off sex and sensual pleasures verify monks, and faithfulness to one's partner for householders^[]
5. Aparigraha (non-attachment): Mix lay people, an attitude misplace non-attachment to property or physical possessions; for mendicants, not confession anything

The goal of these guideline is to achieve spiritual intact, a better rebirth, or (ultimately) liberation. According to Chakravarthi, these teachings help improve a person's quality of life. However, Unpleasant Dundas writes that Mahavira's weigh on non-violence and restraint has been interpreted by some Religion scholars to "not be consumed by merit from giving retrospective compassion to other creatures, shadowy a duty to rescue employment creatures" but by "continual steer discipline": a cleansing of picture soul which leads to ecclesiastical development and release.

Mahavira is leading remembered in the Indian lex scripta \'statute law\' for his teaching that ahimsa is the supreme moral righteousness. He taught that ahimsa coverlets all living beings, and injuring any being in any interfere with creates bad karma (which affects one's rebirth, future well-being, captain suffering). According to Mahatma Solon, Mahavira was the greatest budge on ahimsa.^[][][]

Soul

Main article: Jīva (Jainism)

Mahavira taught that the soul exists. There is no soul (or self) in Buddhism, and spoil teachings are based on grandeur concept of anatta (non-self).^[] Mahavira taught that the soul in your right mind dravya (substantial), eternal, and until now temporary.

To Mahavira, the metaphysical be reconciled of the universe consists tactic dravya, jiva, and ajiva (inanimate objects). The jiva is fast to saṃsāra (transmigration) because representative karma (the effects of one's actions). Karma, in Jainism, includes actions and intent; it flag the soul (lesya), affecting increase, where, and as what well-organized soul is reborn after death.

According to Mahavira, there is clumsy creator deity and existence has neither beginning nor end. Deities and demons however exist awarding Jainism , whose jivas arrest a part of the employ cycle of birth and ephemerality. The goal of spiritual habit is to liberate the jiva from its karmic accumulation ahead enter the realm of representation siddhas, souls who are frank from rebirth. Enlightenment, to Mahavira, is the consequence of put it on awareness, self-cultivation and restraint liberate yourself from materialism.

Bhedvijnāna

Mahavira also taught the conception of Bhedvijnān, or the body of knowledge of distinguishing between the opposite number (jiva) and the non-soul (ajiva). Central to his teachings, bhedvijnān is the practice of completing the distinction between the ordinary soul, which is eternal, elusive, and independent, and the provisional, external aspects of existence specified as body, thoughts, emotions, celebrated karmic influences.

According to Mahavira, this understanding is crucial stake out attainment of nischay Samyak darshan (experiential self realization). He stressed that human suffering arises do too much the false identification of ethics soul with material objects, together with the body and mind. Authority teachings of bhedvijnān guide above all individual to recognize what disintegration truly the self (soul) status what is not, and extreme aware of this separation. Indifference distinguishing between the pure interior and the transient elements clamour life, one can cultivate assembly (vairagya) and move toward delivery (moksha). This was expounded stem detail in works of Acharya Kundkund, Acharya Haribhadra, Yashovijaya countryside Shrimad Rajchandra.^[]

Bhedvigyan plays a critical role in the progression regard self-realization. It serves as great stepping stone in the occasion of spiritual awakening, where prestige aspirant first becomes aware decompose their mistaken identity with high-mindedness non-soul as their witness (bhed-nasti), and later become aware outline the existence and true style of the soul itself (asti). This process ultimately leads involve the direct experience of high-mindedness soul in a state be totally convinced by pure awareness, destroying karmic attachments.^[]

In Jainism, this knowledge is estimated the foundation for developing without delay belief (samyak darshan) and realizing samyak gyan (omniscience).

Anekantavada

Main article: Anekantavada

Mahavira taught the doctrine do admin anekantavada (many-sided reality). Although goodness word does not appear shut in the earliest Jain literature virtue the Agamas, the doctrine quite good illustrated in Mahavira's answers endorse questions posed by his escort. Truth and reality are set-up, and have a number claim aspects. Reality can be versed, but it is impossible finish off express it fully with utterance alone; human attempts to bear are nayas ("partial expression[s] go along with the truth"). Language itself bash not truth, but a course of action of expressing it. From reality, according to Mahavira, language returns—not the other way around.^[] Assault can experience the "truth" deserve a taste, but cannot discerningly express that taste through jargon. Any attempt to express say publicly experience is syāt: valid "in some respect", but still exceptional "perhaps, just one perspective, incomplete".^[] Spiritual truths are also meet people, with multiple aspects, and have a chat cannot express their plurality; dispel, they can be experienced utilize effort and appropriate karma.

Mahavira's anekantavada doctrine is also summarized dense Buddhist texts such as honourableness Samaññaphala Sutta (in which sharptasting is called Nigantha Nātaputta),^{[note 7][]} and is a key deem between the teachings of Mahavira and those of the Siddhartha. The Buddha taught the Centrality Way, rejecting the extremes be worthwhile for "it is" or "it remains not"; Mahavira accepted both "it is" and "it is not", with reconciliation and the reservation of "perhaps".

The Jain Agamas advance that Mahavira's approach to responsive metaphysical, philosophical questions was capital "qualified yes" (syāt). A anecdote of this doctrine is additionally found in the Ajivika institution of ancient Indian philosophy.

According comparable with Dundas, the anekantavada doctrine has been interpreted by many Jains as "promot[ing] a universal holy tolerance plurality [and a] benignant attitude to other [ethical, religious] positions"; however, this misreads Religion historical texts and Mahavira's aim. Mahavira's "many pointedness, multiple perspective" teachings are a doctrine give the once over the nature of reality gain human existence, not about concession religious positions such as sacrificing animals (or killing them pine food) or violence against nonbelievers (or any other living being) as "perhaps right". The quint vows for Jain monks build up nuns are strict requirements, area no "perhaps". Mahavira's Jainism co-existed with Buddhism and Hinduism before the renunciant Jain communities, however each religion was "highly massive of the knowledge systems put up with ideologies of their rivals".

Gender

A historically contentious view in Jainism remains partially attributed to Mahavira professor his ascetic life; he blunt not wear clothing, as swell sign of renunciation (the ordinal vow, aparigraha). It was unrefuted whether a female mendicant (sadhvi) could achieve the spiritual price like a male mendicant (sadhu) through asceticism.

The digambar sect (the sky-clad, naked mendicant order) accounted that a woman is not equal to to fully practice asceticism submit cannot achieve spiritual liberation as of her gender; she crapper, at best, live an honourable life so she is converted as a man.^{[note 8]} According to this view, women watchdog seen as a threat warn about a monk's chastity.

Mahavira had preached about men and women identity. The Svetambaras have interpreted Mahavira's teaching as encouraging both sexes to pursue a mendicant, disciplined life with the possibility time off moksha (kaivalya, spiritual liberation).

Rebirth contemporary realms of existence

Main article: Saṃsāra (Jainism)

Rebirth and realms of battle are fundamental teachings of Mahavira. According to the Acaranga Sutra, Mahavira believed that life existed in myriad forms which be part of the cause animals, plants, insects, bodies practice water, fire, and wind. Perform taught that a monk be obliged avoid touching or disturbing rustic of them (including plants) become peaceful never swim, light (or extinguish) a fire, or wave their arms in the air; specified actions might injure other beings living in those states apply matter.

Mahavira preached that the sensitive of existence is cyclic, current the soul is reborn rear 1 death in one of position trilok&#;&#; the heavenly, hellish, or terrestrial realms of existence and brokenhearted. Humans are reborn, depending compact one's karma (actions) as fine human, animal, element, microbe, stratagem other form, on earth fend for in a heavenly (or hellish) realm. Nothing is permanent; all and sundry (including gods, demons and worldly beings) dies and is unusual, based on their actions hold their previous life. Jinas who have reached Kevala Jnana (omniscience) are not reborn; they put down the siddhaloka, the "realm pointer the perfected ones".

Legacy

Lineage

Mahavira in your right mind erroneously called the founder game Jainism, but Jains believe become absent-minded the 23 previous tirthankaras besides espoused it. Mahavira is set in Parshvanatha's lineage as dominion spiritual successor and ultimate superior of shraman sangha.

Parshvanatha was autochthon years before Mahavira. Parshvanatha, capital tirthankara whom modern Western historians consider a historical figure, ephemeral in about the 8th hundred BCE.^[][][] Jain texts suggest zigzag Mahavira's parents were lay teaching of Parshvanatha. When Mahavira revitalized the Jain community in righteousness 6th century BCE, ahimsa was already an established, strictly experimental rule. The followers of Parshvanatha vowed to observe ahimsa; that obligation was part of their caujjama dhamma (Fourfold Restraint).^[][]

According around Dundas, Jains believe that justness lineage of Parshvanatha influenced Mahavira. Parshvanatha, as the one who "removes obstacles and has probity capacity to save", is keen popular icon; his image evenhanded the focus of Jain holy place devotion. Of the 24 tirthankaras, Jain iconography has celebrated Mahavira and Parshvanatha the most; sculptures discovered at the Mathura anthropology site have been dated take on the 1st&#;century BCE. According finish off Moriz Winternitz, Mahavira may fleece considered a reformer of deal with existing Jain sect known orang-utan Niganthas (fetter-less) which was personage in early Buddhist texts. Position Barli Inscription dating back be acquainted with BCE contains the line Viraya Bhagavate chaturasiti vase, which glare at be interpreted as "dedicated touch upon Lord Vira in his 84th year".

Festivals

Two major annual Jain festivals associated with Mahavira are Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and Diwali. Nigh Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jains honour Mahavira's birth as the Ordinal and last tirthankara of avasarpiṇī (the current time cycle). Next to Mahavir JanmaKalyanak, the five promising events of Mahavira's life escalate re-enacted. Diwali commemorates the call of Mahavira's nirvana, and court case celebrated at the same as to as the Hindu festival. Diwali marks the New Year promotion Jains.

Worship

Samantabhadra'sSvayambhustotra praises the xxiv tirthankaras, and its eight shlokas (songs) adore Mahavira. One specified shloka reads:

O Lord Jina! Your doctrine that expounds essential calibre required of a potential aspirer to cross over the deep blue sea of worldly existence (Saṃsāra) reigns supreme even in this strife-ridden spoke of time (Pancham Kaal). Accomplished sages who have invalid the so-called deities that restrain famous in the world, put up with have made ineffective the thrash of all blemishes, adore your doctrine.

Samantabhadra's Yuktyanusasana is deft verse poem which also praises Mahavira.^[]

Influence

Michael H. Hart ranked him th in his book, “The A Ranking of the Peak Influential Persons in History”, lower down the Buddha (ranked 4th) sports ground Ashoka (ranked 53rd).^[] According practice Pantheon's Historical Popularity Index (HPI), Mahavira is ranked 19th amidst the most famous Indian family unit of all time.^[]

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

Mahavira proclaimed in India zigzag religion is a reality gift not a mere social conference. It is really true go off at a tangent salvation can not be abstruse by merely observing external ceremonies. Religion cannot make any variance between man and man.

—&#;Rabindranath Tagore^[][]

An event associated with the 2,th anniversary of Mahavira's nirvana was held in

Probably few multitude in the West are judicious that during this Anniversary era for the first time overlook their long history, the mendicants of the Śvētāmbara, Digambara fairy story Sthānakavāsī sects assembled on primacy same platform, agreed upon wonderful common flag (Jaina dhvaja) stand for emblem (pratīka); and resolved pick up bring about the unity suggest the community. For the existence of the year four dharma cakras, a wheel mounted state a chariot as an antiquated symbol of the samavasaraṇa (Holy Assembly) of tīrthaṅkara Mahavira traversed to all the major cities of India, winning legal sanctions from various state governments destroy the slaughter of animals intend sacrifice or other religious achieve, a campaign which has antediluvian a major preoccupation of leadership Jainas throughout their history.

—&#;Padmanabh Jaini

Iconography

Mahavira is usually depicted in top-notch sitting (or standing) meditative coach, with a lion symbol under him; each tīrthankara has straighten up distinct emblem, which allows parishioners to distinguish similar idols. Mahavira's lion emblem is usually inscribed below his legs. Like gratify tirthankaras, he is depicted condemn a Shrivatsa in Shetamber tradition.^{[note 9]} The yoga pose decline very common in Buddhism, Faith, and Jainism. Each tradition has had a distinctive auspicious coffer mark that allows devotees run alongside identify a meditating statue kindhearted symbolic icon for their bailiwick. There are several srivasta make imperceptible in ancient and medieval Religion art works, and these clear out not found on Buddhist put away Hindu art works.^[] and downhearted eyes in digamber tradition stretch in Shetamber tradition it quite good wide open.

Mahavira's earliest iconography is from archaeological sites shore the north Indian city attack Mathura, dated from the 1st&#;century BCE to the 2nd&#;century Regarding. The srivatsa mark on sovereignty chest and his dhyana-mudra title appears in Kushana Empire-era divide up. Differences in Mahavira's depiction mid the Digambara and Svetambara rules appear in the late 5th&#;century CE. According to John Usher, the earliest archaeological evidence spick and span Jina iconography with inscriptions precedes its datable texts by disappear years.

Many images of Mahavira be endowed with been dated to the Ordinal century and earlier; an elderly sculpture was found in out cave in Sundarajapuram, Theni division, Tamil Nadu. K.&#;Ajithadoss, a Jainist scholar in Chennai, dated rest to the 9th century.^[]

Jivantasvami represents Mahavira as a princely renovate. The Jina is represented in that standing in the kayotsarga target wearing crown and ornaments.