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Life and Teaching of Mahavira
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Siddhartha was the head of the Janatrika clan and his mother was Trisala, sister of the Lichchavi chief Chetaka. Mahâvîra's actual name was Vardhamana and after receiving the supreme knowledge he came to be known as Mahâvîra. He married Yashoda; and a daughter was born to them. The name of the daughter was Anojja or Priyadarsana. But when his parents died Mahâvîra grew tired of this life and at the age of thirty he embraced the life of an ascetic. After thirteen months of this life he gave up his clothes as a first step of penance. He practised austerity for twelve years and at the age of forty-two he attained supreme knowledge and became a Kevalim. He came to be known as Mahâvîra, or great hero. According to the Jaina tradition he attained his siddhi or supreme knowledge under a sala tree on the banks of the river Rijupalika near the village Jimbhikagrama. Relation with Ghosala
A memorable event in the life and teachings of Mahâvîra was his relation and difference with Ghosala who founded the Ajivika sect he was a disciple of Mahâvîra for six years. But a difference, arose between them and Ghosala left Mahâvîra. Sixteen years later they met and quarrelled once again. The doctrine of Ghosala is not clearly known, but there were some points of similarity. The rules regarding the diet for the Jains was laid down by Ghosala. It is through the influence of Ghosala that Mahâvîra abandoned his garments. His Missionary Life
On attainment of the supreme knowledge, Mahâvîra became a missionary and taught his religion among the people. His method was to teach for eight months then pass four months of the rainy season in some towns. He visited Champa, Vaisali, Rajagriha, Mithila and Sarvasti. Many kings began to patronise him. Bimbisara, the king of Magadha and Ajatasatru became devotees of his religion. At the age of 72 he died at Pava in Patna district.
Jawaharlal Nehru paid the most glowing tribute to the Buddha and Mahâvîra in these words : “There can be no doubt that the followers of the great religions have been among the greatest and noblest men that the world has produced.”
Mahâvîra did not introduce any religion, rather he made
