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In the various Aga mas, we have an elaborate record about the members of his family. Supārsva was the name of his uncle, and Nandivardhana that of his elder brother. His *elder sister was Sudarsanā, and his daughter was Priya - darśanā who was married with Jamali. The name of his grand-daughter this daughter's daughter) was Sesavati or Yasasvati.
From his very birth, Mahavira was indifferent to worldly life. His body was strong and highly graceful. All objects of pleasure were readily available to him, but he had no fasci nation for them. Both his parents were the followers of Parsya, and were very pious souls. They lived a long life as devoted followers, and before their final exit, they devoted themselves to the practise of the vows li ke ahimsa, etc., discussed, decried and denounced their sins, performed pratikramana, etc., a nd at last courted fast unto death. Thus closing their earthly chapter, they were born in Acyutakalpa.
By the time Mahāvi ra was 28, he had lost both his parents, and so he desired to fulfill the resolve he had made earlier. He placed before his elder brother a proposal about his own renunciation and initiation. Nandivardhana was deep-hurt to hear such untimely request. The parents had just died, and Nandivardhana was not mentally prepared to let his brother go at this time. So at the pressing request of his elder brother, he agreed to defer his exit by two years. Meanwhile, rumour had spread far and wide that as Mahavira's mother had dreamt 14 dreams, he was now sure to become a world-monarch. So the leading kings of period sent their sons, Srenika, Canda Pradyotana and many others to serve under him (17). But Mahāvira was not in the least interested to be a world-monarch. For one who was ear-marked to be a Tirthankara, the position of a worldmonarch was too insignificant. Although Mahavira was still living at the palace, he was virtually living like a monk, almost renounced in everything. He did not drink raw water, did not take food at night and remained strictly celibate. He slept on the ground, and to quench the fire of passions, he was always immersed in deep concentration on Self. He spent a year like this. After this, he commenced his final year in the household and during the whole of this year, he gave alms (var si-dana). He gave out 1, 08, 00, 000
