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विक्रम
been discredited by the Digambares. H. JACOBI thinks that of Siddhartha had two wives, the Brahmani Devananda, the real mother of Mahavira and the Kshatriyani Trisala. The name Rishabhadatta has been invented by the Jainas in order to provide Devananda with another husband.
His Birth :
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The Jaina tradition places Mahavira's birth in 599 B. C. Before birth his mother is said to have seen a number of dreams. The interpreters foretold that the child would become either a universal monarch or prophet possessing all possible knowledge. He was born at Kundapura near Vaisali in the Videha country. Kundapura and Vaisali are identified with Basukund and Basarah respectively in Muzaffarpur District some 40 km to the north of Patna. His birth was celebrated with great rejoicings. Festivals kept the whole town bourd in mirth and joy for ten days after which many offerings were made to the gods His parents named him Vardhamana or the prosperous one because with his birth, the wealth, fame and merit of the family increased.
Childhood:
As Mahavira possessed supreme valour during childhood, he was given the name 'Mahavira'. He could stand fast in the midst of dangers and fears. Once he is said to have controlled an elephant, when he saw it mad with fury. He is also known to have caught hold of the dreadful snake and threw it away, when his companions fled away in alarm. He was handsome and impressive. He was clever and was possessed of a very keen intellect. He received the usual education and training of a Kshatriya aristocrate in literature and philosophy. in military and administrative sciences, and in music and fine arts.
Life of a Householder :
On the question of Mahavira's marriage, there is a fundamental difference of details between the two sects of Jainism namely the Digambaras and the Svetambaras. The Digambara works deny the fact of Mahavira's marriage. On the other hand in the Svetambara accounts, there is allusion to his marriage. He was married to a beautiful young woman, Yasoda, a Kshatriya lady of Kaundinya Gotra, who soon presented him with a daughter named Anojja. Anojja was married to Jamali, a kshatriya, who after becoming Mahavira's follower created a schism, Mahavira's grand daughter, who belonged to the Kausika Gotra, had two names: Seshavati and Yasovati.
Mahavira's paternal uncle was Suparṣva. His elder brother was Nandivardhana and his elder sister Sudarsana. His parents died when he was thirty ye: rs old. Afterwards, his elder brother, Nandivardhana, succeeded his father. With the permission of his brother and other authorities, he carried out his long cherished resolve and became a monk with the usual rites. The Digambara works do not mention the names of his elder brother and elder sister. According to them, Mahavira embarked upon his spiritual vocation during the lifetime of their parents.
His Ascetic Life: His Twelve Years of Preparation :
For twelve years, Mahavira. led a life of the hardest asceticism, thus preparing himself for the attainment of the highest spiritual knowledge. He sometimes lived in workshops, assembling places and shops;
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