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manhood to divine humanity, from divine humanity to the position of a Jina or a Tirthankara. Immeasurable ages of indumerable lives lay behind him ere he was born in the royal palace at Kandapura or Kundagrāma-a Kshatriya suburb of Vaishāli, the capital of Videha or Tirhat-born for his last birth upon this planet, born to reach the perfect illumination, born to become a mighty teacher and instructor of myriads and my. riads of the human race.
The Jainas, both Shvetāmbaras and Digambaras, state that he was the son of King Siddbārtha of the celebrated race of Ikshvāku and of the Kāshyapa Gotra, and that his mother Trishalā was sister to King Chetaka of Vaisbāli, and was also related to King Bimbibāra of Magadha then the most powerful state in India. The name given by his parents was Vardhamāna, as causing increase of riches, peace and prosperity, but Indra or Shakra-the chief of the gods-gave him also the appelle ation of Mabāvira as significant of his power and supremaoy over gods and men.
For nearly thirty years Mahāvira geems to have lived in the bosom of his family. . According to the Shvetāmbara tradition he was prevailed upon by his parents to marry Yashodā, daughter of the prince Samaravira. By her he had a daughter, Anojjā or Priyadarshadā, who was married to a noble of the name of Jamāli-one of the Saint's pupils and founder of a new sect-and who in her turn had a daughter called
Sheshapati or Yashovati. Mahavira's parents and with Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
