The Life Stories of Mahavira

Who is Vardhamana Mahavira?
Exploring the Life and Legends of Vardhamana Mahavira through Indian Art

Rooted deeply in the history of the Indian subcontinent, Jainism is a remarkably ancient faith that proposes a radical path to liberation through rigorous self-discipline and non-violence. Defined by its rejection of Vedic authority, the doctrine stresses that salvation (moksha) is attained through human effort and renunciation.

The religion's foundation rests on the teachings of the Jinas (Conquerors), spiritual victors who achieved supreme knowledge. They are known as Tirthankaras (Ford-Builders), having forged the path across the ocean of suffering. The lineage includes twenty-four such figures, culminating in Vardhamana Mahavira (Great Hero). Central to their doctrine are the ethical principles of shunning violence (ahimsa), lying, stealing, hoarding, and observing chastity (brahmacharya), all unified under the Three Jewels (Tiratnas) of Jainism: right knowledge, right faith, and right action.

Who is Vardhamana Mahavira?

Vardhamana Mahavira, though the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, is considered the most critical religious preacher in Jainism. Descended from a powerful lineage, Mahavira was born to Siddhartha (chief of the Jnatri clan) and Mother Trishala (sister of the Videha King). His royal connections were further solidified by his maternal uncle, the Licchavi Chief Chetaka, whose daughter was married to King Bimbisara of Magadha. This access to the nobility proved crucial for establishing and expanding his ministry.

Despite an initial life as a householder, Mahavira renounced the world at the age of thirty to become an ascetic. For twelve arduous years, he wandered incessantly, never staying more than a day in a village or five days in a town. He maintained his original clothing for the entire journey, abandoning it completely only when he achieved Kaivalya (Omniscience) at the age of forty-two. By conquering both happiness and misery during this period of intense asceticism, he earned the title Mahavira (Great Hero) and became the Jina (Conqueror) for his followers.

For the next thirty years, Mahavira propagated the teachings of Jainism across Koshala, Magadha, Mithila, and beyond, before passing away at the age of seventy-two in 468 BCE at Pavapuri, near Rajgir. (His birth date is debated, though often cited as 599 BCE or 540 BCE.)

Exploring the Life and Legends of Vardhamana Mahavira through Indian Art

The life of Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, is a foundational narrative in Jainism, often depicted in six central events: his conception, transfer of the embryo, birth, renunciation, attainment of Omniscience, and Moksha (liberation).

1. Conception and the Divine Transfer

The initial event was Mahavira's descent into the womb of the Brahmin woman Devananda. Historically, great spiritual leaders (Arhats) are born only into the Kshatriya (princely) caste. Thus, when Devananda saw the fourteen auspicious dreams symbolising the birth of a Tirthankara or a Chakravartin (world-ruler), Lord Indra intervened. To resolve this imbalance, Indra instructed the commander Harinegameshi to carry out the extraordinary transfer of the embryo from the Brahmini Devananda to the Kshatriyani Trishala, wife of the Jnatri Chief, Siddhartha.

2. Birth and the Fourteen Dreams

The Fourteen Dreams of Queen Trishala, folio 14 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra c. 1475–1500, Western India, Gujarat, Source: https://www.clevelandart.org/

Link: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1932.119.14.a

Queen Trishala narrating her Fourteen Auspicious Dream to Siddhartha, Kalpasutra, paper, 1404 A.D. Western Indian Style (Gujarat and Rajasthan), Source: Doshi, Masterpieces of Jain Painting.

https://archive.org/details/masterpiecesofja0000dosh?

Upon Mahavira's successful implantation, Queen Trishala immediately saw the very same fourteen auspicious dreams—a series of visions including a majestic elephant, a white bull, the Goddess Shri, a full moon, and a blazing fire. These were interpreted by dream diviners who prophesied that her son would be either a great Hero or a great religious leader, leading them to name him Vardhamana ("One Who Increases"). He was born at midnight on the thirteenth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra.

Subduing the God as a Snake by Lord Mahavira, 1425-1450 CE, Western Indian Style, Doshi, Masterpieces of Jain Painting. https://archive.org/details/masterpiecesofja0000dosh?

Growing up in the palace, Mahavira, who already possessed three types of knowledge from his conception, displayed extraordinary spiritual strength. As a boy, he famously subdued a jealous god who had taken the form of a ferocious serpent and later a demon, establishing his greatness early on. He lived thirty years as a householder, married to Yashoda, with whom he had a daughter, Priyadarshana.

3. The Great Renunciation

i) Laukantika God's Advice to Mahavira ii) Plucking of hair by Mahavira

(Kalpsutra, 1400 CE) (Kalpsutra, 1375-1400 CE)

Source: Doshi, Masterpieces of Jain Painting, https://archive.org/details/masterpiecesofja0000dosh?

After his parents passed away, and having prepared for an entire year by giving away his vast wealth—gold, ornaments, and treasuries—Mahavira sought permission from his elders to renounce his worldly life. Advised by the Laukantika Gods to propagate the true religion, he was honored by Lord Indra, who prepared the celestial Chandraprabha palanquin for his departure.

Under an Ashoka Tree, Mahavira stripped off his princely finery, plucked out his hair in five handfuls (collected by Indra in a diamond cup), and adorned himself in a robe given by Indra, beginning his life as a homeless mendicant. After eventually losing his only remaining garment, Mahavira walked a path of extreme penance and adversity for twelve grueling years, utterly devoid of belongings or concern for his body.

4. Attainment of Omniscience (Kaivalya)

Mahavira's Samavasarana: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript, India (Gujarat), 15th century

Source: metmuseum, Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/74993

In the thirteenth year of his wandering, while meditating under a Shala Tree, Mahavira attained the ultimate knowledge: Kaivalya (Omniscience). Gods immediately prepared a Samavasarana (a divine preaching hall), placing a throne where Mahavira could be seen from all four sides. From this seat, he preached to gods, men, and animals, establishing the foundation of the Jain faith.

5. Liberation (Moksha)

Liberation of Mahavira at Pava on Paper, 1500 CE, Western Indian Style (Gujarat and Rajasthan)

Source: Doshi, Masterpieces of Jain Painting, https://archive.org/details/masterpiecesofja0000dosh?

Mahavira spent the last rainy season of his life in the scribe hall of King Hastiapla in the town of Pava. There, at the age of seventy-two, on the fifteenth night of the dark half of Kartika, he passed away, his spirit achieving Moksha (liberation). His freed soul ascended to the Siddhashila, the pure white apex of the universe. The night was celebrated by countless gods and goddesses, marking the ultimate liberation of the Tirthankara, who left behind a vast following of monks, nuns, and lay devotees.

Conclusion

The life of Vardhamana Mahavira is a timeless spiritual blueprint. From his miraculous conception and royal birth to his rigorous twelve-year asceticism that culminated in Kaivalya (Omniscience), Mahavira's journey exemplifies the Jain principle that salvation (moksha) is attained through human effort and renunciation. His subsequent thirty years of teaching established the core ethics of non-violence and the Three Jewels (Tiratnas), guiding millions across the ocean of suffering. Through his final attainment of Moksha at Pavapuri, Mahavira solidified his legacy as the Jina (Conqueror), whose life story remains powerfully narrated and preserved in the rich traditions of Indian art.