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parents and married a beautiful princess named Yashoda. As was the custom, the marriage was performed according to the wishes and arrangement of the parents. In due time, Mahavira and his wife Yashoda had one lovely daughter, named Priya Dharshana. Nevertheless, the comforts of luxurious living and the joys of a truly loving family failed to satisfy Mahavira. His heart was not inclined towards the life of a house-holder. It always felt constraining like the web of maya." His inner soul ceaselessly yearned for liberation.
Two years after the death of his parents at the age of 30, Mahavira renounced the worldly pleasures, left his family, and abandoned his householder status for the life of an ascetic. He then received spiritual initiation and became a forest dweller. Living in caves among the hills, he began the practice of atma sadhana (inner meditation). Whenever he became near to starvation he would enter the city to beg for food. In this way, he practiced intense inner and outer austerities for twelve years.
Once someone recognized Mahavira in his mendicant form in the forest, and offered him an arrangement for his personal security. To this Mahavira replied:
Arrange security for what? I have chosen the path of equanimity and non-violence. Who, therefore, is going
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