Lord Mahavira (599–527 BCE), the 24th and last Tirthankara of the present cosmic age (Avasarpini), is the central figure of Jainism as we know it today. While Jainism is an eternal religion (sanatan dharma) with an infinite series of Tirthankaras in every cosmic cycle, Mahavira holds a unique and irreplaceable position: he is the reviver, reformer, and final systematizer of the ancient Jain doctrine in our historical era. Without him, Jainism would not exist in its present form.
1. Historical Context: The Last Ford-Maker of This Age
In Jain cosmology, time moves in endless cycles of improvement (Utsarpini) and decline (Avasarpini). We are currently in the fifth phase (Dushama-Sushama) of the declining half-cycle.
- The first Tirthankara of this cycle was Rishabhanatha (Adinath), millions of years ago.
- After the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha (877–777 BCE), the teachings began to fade from public memory.
- Mahavira was born as Prince Vardhamana in 599 BCE in present-day Bihar, India, into the royal family of the Jnata (Naya) clan.
At the age of 30, he renounced worldly life, gave away all possessions, and spent 12½ years in intense austerities and meditation. At the age of 42, under a sala tree on the banks of the Rijubalika river, he attained Kevala Jnana (absolute knowledge/infinite perception). From that moment he was called Mahavira (“The Great Hero”), Jina (“The Conqueror”), and became the 24th Tirthankara.
He is the last human being in this descending cycle who will ever attain liberation while still teaching others. After him, no more Tirthankaras will appear until the next ascending cycle millions of years from now.
2. The Reformer, Not the Founder
Jains insist that Mahavira did not “found” Jainism; he revived and reorganized it.
Key reforms and clarifications he introduced:
- Re-established the four-fold sangha (community): sadhu (monks), sadhvi (nuns), shravaka (laymen), shravika (laywomen) – making monasticism accessible to women on equal terms.
- Strengthened the five great vows (Mahavratas) for ascetics: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Aparigraha (non-possession).
- Emphasized anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints), syadvada (doctrine of conditioned predication), and nayavada (partial truths), which became the philosophical backbone of Jain epistemology.
- Rejected Vedic authority, animal sacrifice, caste hierarchy, and the concept of an all-powerful creator God.
- Made the teachings accessible in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, the common language of the people, instead of Sanskrit.
3. The Living Embodiment of Ahimsa
Mahavira took non-violence to unprecedented extremes, making it the supreme ethical principle:
- He walked barefoot even on thorny paths to avoid harming insects.
- He practiced “careful movement” (iryasamiti), speaking only when necessary, and ate only what was offered without causing harm.
- During meditation, he allowed insects to bite him without reaction.
- His famous teaching: “Parasparopagraho jivanam” – “Souls render service to one another” (Tattvartha Sutra 5.21).
His extreme ahimsa inspired later figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and countless environmental and animal-rights movements.
4. The Teacher Who Preached Universal Compassion
For 30 years after enlightenment, Mahavira traveled across India (except the far south) preaching in local languages.
His audience included:
- Kings (Bimbisara, Kunika/Ajatasatru)
- Brahmins and outcastes
- Merchants and courtesans (e.g., the famous conversion of courtesan Ambapali)
- Even animals and nature spirits (according to Jain texts)
He taught that every soul, regardless of birth, gender, or species, is capable of liberation.
5. Major Doctrinal Contributions
- Classification of karma into 148 (or 108 in some texts) types and the detailed mechanism of karmic bondage and shedding.
- The concept of lesya (psychic color) showing the state of the soul.
- A clear path of 14 stages of spiritual purification (Gunasthanas) leading from delusion to omniscience.
- The six universal substances (dravyas): jiva (soul), ajiva (non-soul), dharma, adharma, akasha (space), kala (time).
- The threefold path to liberation: Right Faith (Samyak Darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana), Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
6. The Final Liberation (Nirvana)
At the age of 72, in 527 BCE, Mahavira attained nirvana (complete liberation) at Pawapuri (Bihar). This event is celebrated as Diwali by Jains – not as a festival of lights for Rama’s return, but as the day the “lamp of knowledge” was extinguished from this world.
Since then, no living Tirthankara exists, and Jains rely on scriptures (Agamas), the images of the 24 Tirthankaras, and the guidance of realized monks/nuns.
7. Mahavira’s Legacy Today
- Jainism remains one of the world’s strictest ethical traditions, with an unbroken lineage of ascetics for over 2,500 years.
- The two major sects (Digambara and Shvetambara) both accept Mahavira as the final authority, despite minor differences.
- His teachings on ecology, vegetarianism, and non-violence are more relevant than ever in the age of climate change and industrial animal farming.
- Jain communities, though small (≈6–8 million worldwide), have disproportionately high literacy, low crime rates, and significant contributions to business, philanthropy, and animal welfare.
Conclusion: Why Mahavira Matters
Mahavira is not just a historical figure; he is the living ideal of what a human being can become: a perfectly pure, infinitely knowing, infinitely perceiving, and infinitely blissful soul (Siddha) who, out of compassion, delayed final liberation to teach others the path.
In a world torn by violence, ecological collapse, and ideological extremism, Mahavira’s message remains revolutionary:
“Ahimsa Parmo Dharmah”
“Non-violence is the supreme religion.”
Every year on Mahavira Jayanti (usually in March–April), millions of Jains rededicate themselves to his path of radical compassion, reminding humanity that peace is not a utopian dream, but a practical possibility when every life – human or microscopic – is treated as sacred.
Om Hrim Shri Mahaviraya Namah 🙏
