Life Journey of Lord Mahavir Swami
Lord Mahavir Swami, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama near Vaishali (present-day Bihar, India). His father was King Siddhartha and his mother was Queen Trishala. From birth, Mahavir showed signs of spiritual greatness.
The worship of Vishnu dates back to the Vedic period (around 1500–500 BCE). In the Rigveda,
At the age of 30, after the death of his parents, Mahavir renounced his royal life and left his home in search of truth. He practiced severe penance and meditation for twelve and a half years. During this time, he endured extreme hardships with complete patience and non-violence.
After long meditation, Mahavir attained Keval Gyan (supreme knowledge) at the age of 42 under a Sal tree. He realized the ultimate truth of life and the universe. Following this enlightenment, he became known as Mahavir, meaning “Great Hero”.
For the next thirty years, Lord Mahavir traveled across India preaching his teachings. His main teachings were Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-attachment). He taught that liberation (moksha) can be achieved through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at the age of 72 in 527 BCE at Pawapuri. His life and teachings continue to inspire millions of people to live a life of peace, discipline, and compassion.
