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OF THE HINDUS.
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of Pavana, in Bharatakshetra. Mansvira was born on the thirteenth of the light fortnight of Chaitra: the fifty-six nymphs of the universe assisted at his birth, and his consecration was performed by Sakra, and the other sixty-three Indras. The name given by his father was VARDDHAMÁNA, as causing increase of riches and prosperity, but Sakra gave him also the appellation of MaHÁVÍRA as significant of his power and supremacy over men and gods.
When arrived at maturity, ManÁVÍRA was prevailed upon by his parents to marry Yašová, daughter of the prince SAMARAVIRA. By her he had a daughter, PRIYADARSANÁ, who was married to Jamáli, a prince, one of the Saint's pupils, and founder of a schism. SIDDHÁRTHA and his wife died when their son was twenty-eight years old, on which MaHÁvira adopted an ascetic life, the government devolving on his elder brother NANDIVARDDIANA. After two years of abstinence and self-denial at home he comienced an erratic life, and the attainment of the degree of a Jina.
During the first six years of his peregrination, MAHávíra observed frequent fasts of several months' duration, during each of which he kept his eyes fixed upon the tip of his nose, and maintained perpetual silence. He was invisibly attended by a Yaksha, named SIDDHÁRTHA, who, at the command of INDRA, watched over his personal security, and where speech was necessary acted as spokesman. At Náláńdá, a village near Rajagriha, Mahávíra acquired a follower named Gośála, so called from his birth in a cow-house, a
