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not to grieve his parents, he decided not to take vow of a Sadhu (monk) while his parents were still alive. After his parents' death, he waited two more years at the request of his elder brother, and at the age of 30, he took the vow of a Sadhu. During the next 12 years, he had to endure unbearable hardships. He attributed all of the hardships he endured to his Karma (something he had done in his previous lives and resulting in Karmic particles attached to his soul). However, this did not deter him and he continued an ascetic life of fasting, doing penance, and practicing deep meditation in order to achieve self-realization. After 12 years, when he shed the Darshanavarniya, Gyanavarniya, Antray and Mohaniya Karmas, his spiritual powers were fully developed and he attained enlightenment (Keval Gyan), infinite perception, knowledge, power and bliss (anant-Darshan, anant-Gyan, anant-virya and anant-sukh).
Upon attaining Keval-Gyan, Mahavira became a Tirthankar and he re-established Sangh, a religious order in systematic form. This order consisted of Sadhus (monks), Sadhavis (nun), Shravaks( male lay followers) and Shravikas (female lay followers) with the responsibilities of each defined.
The Sangh is the overall supreme body and is not any one single entity. This basic structural organization is still in effect today.
Bhagwan Mahavir preached in the language of the common people and this resulted in a lasting influence on Indian culture. The messages he preached included independence from priestly domination, equal status of all people, religious emancipation of women, female education, weakening of a cast system, and tolerance of differing points of view. His doctrine included individual freedom and equality regardless of race, sex, color, and caste. Furthermore, when Mahavira said “Live and let live" he was
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