Mahavira

Mahavira (), also known by his birth name Vardhamana (), was an Indian religious reformer and spiritual leader who is considered to be the 24th and final ''Tirthankara'' (Supreme Preacher) of this age in Jainism. Although the dates and most historical details of his life are uncertain and varies by sect, historians generally consider that he lived during the 6th or early 5th century BCE, reviving and reforming a proto-Jain community which had possibly been founded by Pārśvanātha, and Jains consider Mahavira to be his successor. The historicity of Mahavira is well-established and not in dispute among scholars.

According to traditional legends and hagiographies, Mahavira was born in the early 6th century BCE to a ruling kshatriya family of the Nāya tribe in what is now Bihar in India. According to traditional Jain sources like the Ācārāṅga Sūtra, the Nāyas were followers 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. Many historians now believe his lifetime was later, by as much as one century, than was stated in tradition.

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 Mahavira Janma Kalyanaka while his ''nirvana'' (liberation) and attainment of Kevala jnana (omniscience) by Gautama Swami are observed by Jains as Diwali. Provided by Wikipedia