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Parentage
The birth place of Mahāvīra was Kundagrāma, which was a suburb of the flourishing town of Vaiśāli, about 27 miles north of modern Patna. It was an important seat of the Jnātņka Kșatriya clan, otherwise named Nāya or Nāta. It was oligarchic republic, its government being vested in a senate and presided over, with the title of king, by Mahāvira's father Siddhārtha, also named Śreyāṁsa or Yaśāṁsa. He belonged to the Kāšypa gotra. The name of Mahāvīra's mother was Trišalā, also known as Videhadattă or Priyakārins, of the Vāśiștha gotra. She was a sister of Cetaka, the powerful ruler of Videha, at whose call the Licchavis and the Mallas rallied together for the purposes of offence and defence. Birth
In the year B.C. 599, on the 13th day of the bright half of the moon, in the month Caitra, when Trisalā herself was in perfect health, Mahāvīra was born.
The Kalpa Sūtra speaks about the great rejoicings that took place in the family and the town on the birth of the child, about the great illumination of the houses and the streets, about the liberation of prisoners, and about the performance of numerous charitable deeds. Names and Appellations
Mahāvīra has been remembered by numerous names, such as Vaiśāliya citizen of Vaiśāli ; Videha son of Videhadettä ; Arhat-being worthy of veneration ; Arihanta-destroyer of enemies; Aruhanta-destroyer of the roots of karmas; Śāsananāyaka-head of the order ; Buddha-having attained the highest knowledge. In the Jaina Āgamas, he is referred to as Vardhamāna, because of the increase that had taken place in the silver and gold, the intensity of liberality, and the popularity of his parents ever since the moment he had been begotten. The gods gave him the appellation of Mahāvīra for his fortitude and hardihood in bearing patiently all sorts of privations and hardships,
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