Vardhamana

Vardhamana, better known as Mahavira, is regarded in Jainism as the 24th Tirthankara, a revered spiritual guide who helped organize and articulate Jain doctrine. Traditional dating places his life in the 6th century BCE, though some modern scholars propose later dates. He is considered a historical and theological central figure within Jainism and is honored in both Digambara and Svetambara traditions.

According to Jain tradition, Mahavira was born as Vardhamana in Kundagrama, near Vaishali in the ancient Magadha region, to a royal family. At the age of 30 he renounced worldly life, abandoning his palace, wealth, and family to seek spiritual enlightenment. After twelve years of intense ascetic practice, he attained kevala jnana, or omniscience, and began publicly teaching his insights.

Mahavira’s teachings emphasize non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), chastity (brahmacharya), and non-attachment (aparigraha). He also articulated philosophical concepts such as anekantavada (many-sided reality) and syadvada (truths expressed with conditional propositions), which influenced Jain epistemology and ethics. His sermons and the monastic rules he established shaped Jain communal life and the practice of asceticism.

According to tradition, Mahavira attained moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, in Pavapuri (present-day Bihar) at about age 72. His legacy endures through Jain scriptures, temples, and the two major monastic orders that continue to propagate his teachings: Digambara and Svetambara.