Mahavira’s Life

            Mahavira was born in 540 BC  in a village Kundgrama near Vaishall in Bihar.

             His father Siddhartha was the head of theJnathrika Kshtriya clan under vajji of Vaishali. And his mother Trishala was the sister of  Chetaka, the king of Vashali.  Mahavira was also releted to Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha , who had married Chellana, the daughter of Chetaka.

            Mahavira was married to Yashoda (daughter of Samarvira king) and a produced a daughter Anonja Priyadarshini whose husband Jamali,became the first disciple of  Mahavira.

At  the age of 30 ,after the death of his father , he renounced his family, became an ascetic and proceeded in search of truth. He was accompanied by Makkhali Gosala, but later due to some differences Gosala left him and founded Ajivika sect.

          At the age of 42, under a Sal tree at Jambhikagrama on the bank of river Rijupalika, Mahavira attained Kaivalya (supreme Knowledge).

         From now onwards he was called Kevalin (perfect learned,Jina or Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses, ) Nrigrantha (free  from all bonds ). Arhant ( blessed one ) and Mahavira ( the brave) and his followers were named Jain.

        He delivered his first sermon at Pava to his 11 disciples (known as 11 Gandharas/ Gandharvas). Later he founded a Jain Sangha ( Jain commune ) at Pava.

       At the Age of 72 in 468 BC, he passed away at Pavapuri near Biharsharif in Bihar. Sudharma only one of 11 Ganadharas who survived after the death of Mahavira.