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Mahāvīra: The Great Wanderer 51
Strong and fearless, this extraordinary boy grew up to be kind and religious as well. Detached to the riches and luxuries around him, he remained engrossed in contemplation about the problems of life and the world. He was deeply troubled by the adverse situations prevalent in society. Superstitions, animal sacrifices, inhuman treatment of women and ūdras - awakened a silent revolution in him.
At the age of thirty, he embraced the life of a monk. Seated in a golden palanquin, in a magnificent procession followed by thousands of citizens, he moved to the Jñatakhanda garden. There, under an Aśoka tree, after observing a two day fast, he removed his princely attire and wore white robes. He then pulled out his hair by his hands and bowing to the Siddhas, the liberated souls, he initiated himself into the holy order. A princely life was renounced for a life of bareness and tolerance. Pledging to abstain from sinful deeds and tolerating hardships with equanimity, he ventured on the path. Prince Vardhamana became Śramaņa Mahāvīra. He was now called Mahavira the courageous one because of the great vows, which indicate his immense inner strength. He now gained the Manaḥ-paryaya-jñāna (fourth degree of knowledge telepathy) by which he knew the thoughts of all sentient beings in a particular space-time. This initiation was the end of one path and the beginning of another. The inner journey unfolded.
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The first phase of his wanderings lasted for twelve and a half years. Engrossed in spiritual contemplation, he was silent most of the time. Determined to overcome the needs for bodily comforts, he subjected himself to all kinds of climatic and natural disturbances. discriminating between
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