Bhagavan Mahavir was the last and the twenty forth Tirthankar of this era in the Jain tradition.  He had a highly developed multifaceted personality.  He scintillated with the infinitely intense glow of the pure soul.  All the virtues and powers of his soul were completely awakened and active.  He had infinite power but, at the same time, he also had infinite compassion.  Possessing ultimate powers of the soul, he was unconquerable even by gods and demons.  Thus Tirthankar Mahavir was an undefeatable, fully developed and absolutely composite human being.

But the seeds of this grandeur and greatness of Bhagavan Mahavir were sown in the remote past.  He had been doing rigorous penance, indulging in altruism and practicing deep meditation in many of his past incarnation.  From this angle the incidents from earlier incarnations of this supreme soul are very important and inspiring.  The first incident in this sequence is known as "the first touch of righteousness".  The first incident in this sequence is known as "the first touch of righteousness".  It is from the 27^th birth before the final birth of the soul of Bhagavan Mahavir.  The story of this birth as the village elder Nayasar goes like this-

In the twenty seventh births before being born as Bhagavan Mahavir, this soul was a village elder and forester working for king Shatrumardhan of Pratisthan City in the west Mahavideh area.  He used to bring all the wood required for construction purposes from the forest.  One day at noontime all the workers were taking rest after their lunch.  Nayasar also sat under a tree in order to take the food he had brought along.  Before starting to eat he saw some ascetics wandering without food or water in this scorching sun.  If they happen to come this side, I will offer a part of my food to them.  I will be benefited by this simple act of serving guests and my day will become purposeful.

Innocent Nayasar waited looking at the approaching ascetics.  With deep devotion he offered them this pure food.  When they proceeded towards the town, Nayasar accompanied them for some distance to show the way.  When Nayasar bowed before the ascetics before taking their leave, they gave him sermons of the true path, the simple code of compassion, pity, simplicity, humility and equanimity.  Devoted and respectful, Nayasar got enlightened and the seed of righteousness (Samyaktva) sprouted in his mind.  As this is the starting point of the spiritual evolution, the moment when a soul lost in the darkness of illusion got the first glimpse of spiritual light, the counting of the earlier incarnations of the soul that became Bhagavan Mahavir begins here.

After completing his age (the age of a being, according to Jainism, is a fixed period determined by actions in the immediately preceding birth), the soul of Nayasar was reborn as a god in the Saudharm Kalpa.  He then took birth as Marichi, the son of Chakravarti (sovereign of six continents) Bharat in the city of Ayodhya.  After hearing the first discourse of Bhagavan Rishabhdev he became a Shraman.  But as he could not sustain the rigorous ascetic codes, he abandoned the dress of a Shraman, made desired relaxation in the harsh code of Shraman conduct, and became a Tridandi Parivrajak (a class of mendicants).  He started keeping an umbrella and a pair of wooden slippers.  He also used to take bath and apply fragrant pastes like sandal wood paste.  However, he still believed the path of Rishabhdev to be the best.  He would sit just outside the diving pavilion (Samavasaran) of Rishabhdev and when asked about his strange dress, he would innocently accept his weaknesses and preach to the people around, inspiring them to accept the religion of Shramans.

One day Bharat Chakravarti asked Bhagavan Rishabhdev, "Prabhu!  Is there any great being (soul) present in this congregation who will become a Tirthankar like you?"  Rishabhdev replied, "Bharat!  Outside this religious congregation sits your son Marichi dressed as a Parivrajak.  After penances and other practices for many reincarnations, he will become the last Tirthankar of this cycle of time.  During his penance from Marichi to Mahavir, he will also be born as Triprishtha Vasudev (the lord of three regions) in one birth and in another reincarnation as Priyamitra Chakravarti".

Hearing about the astoundingly bright future of the soul of his son Marichi, Emperor Bharat burst with joy.  He went to Marichi with the happy news and said "Marichi!  You are extremely lucky, I greet you as the future Tirthankar".

Marichi was overjoyed hearing the prophecy of Bhagavan Rishabhdev.  His happiness was boundless.  But at the same time, thoughts of the glory of his clan stirred his conceit.  Filled with pride for his clan, he uttered, "How great is my clan and what a superior family is that to which I belong!  My grandfather is the first Tirthankar, my father is the first Chakravarti, and I will became a Vasudev, a Chakravarti, and finally the last Tirthankar of this cycle of time.  How great, indeed!"  And thus Marichi almost burst with conceit.  Slowly he slid down from the heights of spiritual excellence, and was drawn into the whirlpool of the egoism of racial supremacy.

According to the Jain tradition, Marichi was the founder of the Parivrajak School.  Marichi used to say that the Shramans were free of the distortions of mind, speech and body, but the Parivrajaks had these.  As such, the Parivrajaks started keeping a trident, there symbol.  In his last days he made prince Kapil his itself from the Shraman School.

The soul of Marichi moved from the human dimension to that of gods and back again alternatively for twelve incarnations.  When born as human he became Parivrajak many a time and observed numerous austerities.  In his sixteenth reincarnation he was born as prince Vishvabhuti the nephew of king Vishvanandi of Rajgriha.  He became an ascetic and did harsh penance before breathing his last.  In the seventeenth reincarnation he took birth as a god in the Mahashakra dimension of gods and in eighteenth as Triprishtha Vasudev.

Queen Mrigavati of king Prajapati of Potanpur gave birth to an extremely powerful son.  He was named Triprishtha.

Prajapati was an ordinary king of a subordinate kingdom of the Prativasudev Ashvagriv (See appendix).  Triprishtha was a very brave and valorous young man.  When the fame of his powers and strength reached Ashvagriv he became apprehensive.  He asked his astrologer about how he would meet his end.  The astrologer said, "The man who crush your powerful emissary-Chandamegh and also kill the ferocious lion of Tunga Mountain will be the messenger of death for you".

One day Ashvagriv sent Chanda to Potanpur.  When this emissary misbehaved, Triprishtha threw him out.  Then an order was issued to Prajapati; "A ferocious lion has created havoc in the Shali area.  Immediately proceed to that area and protect the farmers from the lion".  When Prajapati prepared to go, prince Triprishtha requested, "Father!  When we are available you need not take the trouble to proceed for this insignificant venture.  Your sons can easily take care of that petty beast".

Triprishtha and his elder brother Baldev Achal Kumar went to that forest and inquired about the lion from the local populace.  As directed, they proceeded toward the den of the lion.  Disturbed by the noise of the village folk, the lion came out of its den and charged towards the princes.  Looking at the approaching lion Triprishtha thought, "The creature is alone moving on its feet, who do I need my bodyguards and the chariot?  When it does not carry and weapon why should I?  I will face it alone and bare handed".  Triprishtha got down from the chariot and threw away his weapons.  He fought alone and bear handed with the ferocious men-eater.  In the end he caught hold of the jaws of the lion and tore it apart.  Standing at a safe distance, the farmers jumped with joy and hailed the prince.  The driver of the chariot of the prince went near the writhing lion, said a few words of sympathy, and covered its wounds with medicinal herbs.  The dying moments of the beast became peaceful.  This act infused a feeling of affection for the driver in the mind of the dying lion.

When the driver reincarnated as the chief disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir, Indrabhuti Gautam, this lion born as a farmer.  When the farmer saw Gautam he was infused with a feeling of fraternity and respect for Gautam.  He became Gautam's disciple.  But when he happened to see Bhagavan Mahavir, the dormant feelings of fear and vengeance surfaced.  Bhagavan Mahavir then dormant feelings of fear and vengeance surfaced.  Bhagavan Mahavir then revealed the cause of these dormant feelings by narrating the story of his earlier life.

Prince Triprishtha conquered the evil king, Prativasudev Ashvagriv, and established his own empire over three continents.  He became the first Vasudev of this cycle of time.

Once the Vasudev was enjoying a musical concern in his assembly.  When his eyelids became heavy with slumber he instructed his bed attendant, "When I am asleep stop the program?"

After a few minutes Triprishtha closed his eyes and went to sleep.  Everyone present was engrossed in the lilting music.  The concern went on throughout the night.  Suddenly Vasudev was awake.  When he heard the music concert still going on, he turned crimson with anger.  He shouted angrily at the attendant, "Why the music has not been stopped yet?"  With folded hands the bed attachment submitted, "Everyone was lost in the intoxicating waves of the melodious music.  Pardon me Sire!  I too became lost".  The negligence in following his instructions added fuel to the fire of Triprishtha's anger.  Directing all his anger on the negligent aide, he said, "Pour molten lead in the ears of this music buff.  Let him realize the consequences of ignoring the instructions of his master for the sake of his love for music".  Vasudev's order was carried out.  Writhing with extreme and intolerable agony the bed attendant died on the spot.

The soul in the form of Triprishtha accumulated the bondage of tarnishing Karmas due to its extremely cruel attitude.  It had to suffer the excruciating result in the form and life as Mahavir.  The aide reincarnated as a farmer and hammered nails in Mahavir's ears when he did penance as a Shraman.  As a result of the intoxication of power, passion for grandeur, and cruelty of attitude, Triprishtha Vasudev, after living his age was reborn in the seventh hell.  In his twenty first incarnation he became a lion; in the twenty second he again went to the forth hell, and after that he was born as Priyamitra Chakravarti in the twenty third birth. 

After seeing many auspicious dreams, the queen of Dhananjay, the ruler of Mukanagari, gave birth to a son.  He was named as Priyamitra.  As a result of his virtuous Karmas and his bravery he conquered all the six continents and became a Chakravarti.  He enjoyed all these pleasures and grandeur befitting a Chakravarti.  In the end, he got detached and became a Shraman by taking Diksha (the formal act of renouncing the mundane life style) from Pottilacharya.  For about ten million years he indulged in serving the guru, studying and pondering over the scriptures, meditation, and a variety of austere penances.  Through these he continued to wipe out the tarnishing Karmas acquired during previous lives.  Living his age, he was reborn as a god in the Mahashukra Kalpa from where, in his next incarnation, he was born as the son of king Jitshatru of Chhatranagari.

The life of prince Nandan (son of king Jitshatru) was like a lotus flower in the swamp of passions and mundane indulgences.  The attraction of the beauty and love of beautiful damsels did not divert him from his spiritual quest.  Finally he became a disciple of Pottilacharya.  Becoming an ascetic, he started purifying his soul with the fire of penance.  He undertook the tough practice of the twenty step penance that includes discipline, penance, devotion for Arihant, service of the ascetic, and other such purifying acts (See appendix 2).  As a result of these practices, he earned the Tirthankar-nam-and-gotra-karma (the Karma that would make him a Tirthankar in future births).  He spent about a hundred thousand years as a Shraman with perfect disciple.  During this period he did one hundred and sixty thousand one-month fasts.  Living his age with austere practices, deep meditation, and unselfish service, he reincarnated as a god in the Pranat Pushpottar Viman (a specific dimension of gods).  This was the birth preceding his reincarnation as Mahavir.

A Tirthankar is a highly elevated and supremely perfect soul.  His life is not only for purification and elevation of his own soul, but also the source of inspiration for development and consequent welfare of humanity.  As such, the birth of a Tirthankar is termed as 'Janma Kalyanak' or the auspicious birth.  It is true for other such important events in his life including renunciation and liberation.

In the Jain scriptures there is mention of five such auspicious events in the life of every Tirthankar:  

1.       Chyavan Kalyanak (the auspicious descent) - To take birth as a human being, the soul descends from various dimensions of gods.  This event is known as the auspicious descent.  At this moment of descent the conceiving mother dreams of fourteen auspicious things.  The incident of transplanting of foetus in the womb of Trishla Kshatriyani is an incident unique to Bhagavan Mahavir's life.

2.       Janma Kalyanak (the auspicious birth) - This is the event of taking birth.  After the birth fifty-six goddesses of directions arrive and do the post birth cleaning and other rituals.  The king of gods creates his vie look-alike bodies and takes the newborn Tirthankar to the Meru Mountain for the ritual celebrations of post birth anointing.

3.       Diksha Kalyanak (the auspicious renunciation) - When a Tirthankar renounces his mundane abode and life-style and proceeds to accept Diksha (initiation into the ascetic way of life), gods and humans assemble and take out a procession heading toward the spot of initiation.  After arriving there the Tirthankar gives away all his possessions including ornaments and apparels, and pulls out five fistful of hair with his own hands.

4.       Kewalajnana Kalyanak (the auspicious omniscience) - Destroying the four vitiating karmas with the help of his superlative practices of discipline, penance and meditation, the Tirthankar acquires the all enlightening and unhindered knowledge and perception and becomes an omniscient.  At this time gods and humans come to behold him and be blessed.  The gods create a divine pavilion (Samavasaran) and celebrate the event.

5.       Nirvana Kalyanak (the auspicious liberation) - Destroying all the karmas the Tirthankar leaves his mundane body and gets liberated.  This event of the disintegration of the liberated.  This event of the disintegration of the physical body is celebrated as the Nirvana Kalyanak or the auspicious liberation.  (Illustrations overleaf).

About 2594 years back (599 B.C.) in the eastern region of India, a bright source of spiritual light dawned.  He became famous as Vardhaman Mahavir.

During the period of Bhagavan Parshvanath, the feudal system of rule prevailed in India.  However, the beginnings of democratic system had started appearing on the political scene.  It was the dawn of the localized republics.  After his Nirvana the republics started expanding and Vaishali emerged as the capital of the federation of small republics.  Maharaj Chetak, a staunch follower of the Parshva Tradition, was the president of the Vaishali republic and the federation.

On the northern shore of the Ganges a large and powerful group of Lichhavi Kshatriyas favored democratic system.  The six prominent clans that formed this republic were-Ugra, Bhog, Rajanya, Ikshvaku, Lichhavi, Jnat, and Kaurav, and nine chiefs represented them.

Another union was named Malla and it was divided into two parts- northwestern and southeastern.  The capital city of northwest was Kushinara and that of southeast was Pava.  The nine chiefs of the Federation of Malla republics were also staunch supporters of the democratic system.  Nine Mallas and nine Lichhavis combined to form an well-organized apex union called the Union of Vajji Republics.  The Lichhavis of the Vaishali republic were Suryavanshi Kshatriyas, the descendents of Maryada Purushottam Ram.  Before the advent of Bhagavan Mahavir and the Buddha, these were famous as the Videhas, but later, the name Lichhavi became more popular.  Still, as a cultural group they always retained their identity as the Videhas.  In the Jain literature Maharaj Chetak has been mentioned as Videhraj, his sister, Trishla, as Videhdinna.  Mahavir has also been mentioned as Videh Sukumal.  All this is indicative of the higher religious and cultural status of the state of Videh.

To the north of Vaishali, there was a suburb named Kundpur Sannivesh.  There was a colony of Brahmans in the southern parts of Kundpur.  The chief of these Brahmans was Rishabhadatta and his wife was Devananda.  Although a rich Brahman and a scholar of the Vedas and Vedangas, Rishabhdatta was a devotee of Bhagavan Parshvanath.

In the northern parts of Kundpur there was a colony of Kshatriyas of the Jnat clan.  The colony was known as Kshatriya Kundpur.  Siddharth was the chief here.  Because of his great valor and wealth he was respectfully addressed as Raja or Narendra.  He was a highly influential member of the Vaishali republic.

Trishla, the sister of president Chetak of Vaishali, was married to Siddharth; she was also known as Videhdinna and Priyakarini, Chetak's elder son Simhabhadra (commander Simha) was the commander-in-chief of the army of the Vajji republic.  

Maharaj Chetak had seven daughters-

1.       Chellana-Queen of king Bimbisar Shrenik of Magadh.

2.       Shiva-Queen of king Chandapradyot of Avanti.

3.       Mrigavati-Queen of king Shatanik of Kaushambi.

4.       Padmavati-Queen of king Dhadhivahan of Champa (mother of Chandanbala).

5.       Prabhavati-Queen of king Udayan (Udayi) of Sindhu-Sauvir.

6.       Jyeshtha-Wife of prince Nandivardhan, elder brother of Bhagavan Mahavir.

7.       Sujyeshtha-Did not marries.  Became ascetic in Mahavir's organization.

Ajatshatru (Kunik), the famous warrior character in Jain and Buddhist literature, and king Udayan of Vats were own grandsons of Maharaj Chetak.

One night mother Trishla is sleeping in her soft and cozy bed.  Suddenly she dreams of auspicious things and gets up.  She is filled with a hitherto inexperienced joy and ecstasy.

She leaves the bed, sits on a chair and contemplates, "So many divine and auspicious things together in my dream.  I had such astonishing dream for the first time in my life, what does this indicate, indeed some benefits in the neat future?" he goes to king Siddharth and tells him about the dreams.  

King Siddharth beams with joy and says, "Devi!  Your dreams are bounteous.  We will gain wealth, pleasures, happiness and a son.  We shall also have territorial gains.  The interpretation of these dreams indicates that the son born to you will be the embodiment of the combined virtues of all the virtuous things and signs existing on this earth.  (In scriptures like Acharang and Kalpasutra, it is mentioned that the descent of the soul that was to be Mahavir was originally into the womb of Devananda Brahmani.  The foetus was then transplanted into the womb of Trishla Kshatriyani by god Harinaigameshi under instructions from Shakrendra.)

After their morning chores, Maharaj Siddharth and Devi Trishla came and took their seats in the assembly hall.  His younger brother Suparshva, his wife and other members of the royal family also took their seats nearby.  

Famous dream readers of Vaishali arrived into the assembly hall.  Maharaj Siddharth and Devi Trishla greeted the dream readers and scholars of eight pronged system of augury, and offered them high seats.  The king said to them, "Scholars of augury!  Last night in the early hours of the morning, Priyakarini, Videhdinna Devi Trishla saw 14 auspicious dreams.  Kindly interpret these dreams on the basis of your knowledge and experience of the science of augury and satisfy the curiosity of all of us".

The augurs listened to the details of the dreams from Devi Trishla and beamed with joy.  Pondering over, they interpreted the dreams as follows-  

"O king of kings!  Maharaj Siddharth!  According to the science of dreams there are 72 auspicious dreams.  Out of these, 42 indicate of ordinary benefits and remaining 30 of great benefits.  The dreams the fortunate Devi Trishla has been are the fourteen great dreams that indicate extremely auspicious and divine gains in the near future.  According to these dreams Devi Trishla will give birth to a son who will become a Chakravarti, but...

Maharaj!  According to the scriptures there already have been 12 Chakravartis, the prescribed number for this cycle of time.  However, one Dharm-Chakravarti (Emperor of religion) is still to be born.  As such, all the signs and circumstances point at the fact that your son, the benefactor of mankind, will be a Dharm-Chakravarti".  

King Siddharth amply rewarded the dream-readers and sent them home with due honors.

It was springtime and the nature was in full bloom.  The atmosphere was clean and pure.  Cool and fragrant breeze infused joy in every particle in the nature.  In the soundless quietude of the midnight, the sky was fluorescent with milky moonlight.  The auspicious date was the thirteenth of the bright half of the month of Chaitra.  The moon was in conjunction with the Uttaraphalguni Nakshatra (lunar mansion), the sign of victory.  At that auspicious moment Mother Trishla gave birth to a divine child.

The child was the embodiment of divine light.  As soon as it was born, the world was filled with radiant light.  It appeared as if, to behold this divine light even the blind were blessed with eyes.  This light penetrated even the oppressingly dense darkness of the hell.  The hell beings forgot their pain.  Quarrels, fights and battles stopped.  Those sufferings from a lifetime of hunger and thirst experienced a divine feeling of fulfillment.  All around cool and fragrant breeze started blowing.  Patients of chronic ailments felt cured.  Natural enemies too had a surge of a feeling of mutual goodwill and love.  All the three worlds (heaven, earth and hell) were filled with waves of happiness.  With the birth of the child, the whole atmosphere underwent a strange change for sometime.

Hearing the news of the birth of Bhagavan Mahavir all the inhabitants of the dimensions of gods danced with joy.  First of all the king of gods, Shakrendra, came and bowed before the Bhagavan and then circumambulated mother Trishla three times.  All the gods-goddesses and lower gods (Gandharva, Kinner etc.) sang and danced and celebrated the birth of the Tirthankar with gaiety.

According to the Kalpasutra, on the night of the birth of the child, first of all 56 divine maidens from all directions (Disha Kumaris) performed the first cleaning and other necessary post birth duties.  Shakrendra and other gods, then, took the child to the peak of the Meru Mountain and gave him the first bath and anointment.  They sang songs in honor of the divine birth.

At dawn a maid named Priyamvada rushed to king Siddharth and announced, "Congratulations Sire!  Many congratulations!  Queen Trishla was given birth to a male child".

Filled with joy and ecstacy the king gave away all the ornaments on his body, save state emblems, to Priyamvada.  He also released her from slavery.  Thus, a slave woman was freed of her life long slavery just because she was the bearer of the good news of the birth of the Tirthankar.

King Siddharth called his Prime Minister and ordered, "Tell the officer-in-charge of celebrations to organize unique and special birth celebrations".

After the king's order, all the highways, roads and lanes in the town of Kshatriyakund were cleared, perfumed water was sprayed, and buntings, garlands and leaves were lavishly put everywhere.  Sweets and gifts were distributed.  People danced with joy.  The whole town echoed with felicitous songs and music.

Maharaj Siddharth had an inspiration.  He called the Prime Minister and said, "The celebrations of child birth in the royal family are part of the tradition.  However, on this particular occasion I want something new, something unique."

The minister humbly submitted, "Sire!  Express your wish and it will be carried out like an order".

King Siddharth said, "Today announce a general amnesty.  Free all the prisoners; right off all the debts; distribute money to the needy; allow fifty percent subsidy on all purchases from all traders; open centers for distribution of food and clothes to the poor, old and invalid; and liberate old and sick slaves.  Thus let the townsfolk join the celebrations free from misery, hunger and bondage.

The order of king Siddharth was carried out.  The celebrations continued for ten days with unprecedented enthusiasm.  People hailed the occasion and muttered, "Some divine great soul has descended on the earth to liberate the world from pain and misery".

When the name giving ceremonies approached, king Siddharth said to Devi Trishla, "Devi!  There has been a continued increase in our wealth, power and happiness.  As such I think we should name the child as Vardhaman (ever increasing)".

Queen Trishla consented with joy, "Maharaj!  You are absolutely correct.  This child is certainly going to accelerate our alround development".

On the Twelfth Day after the birth of the child, king Siddharth organized a great feast and invited all his relatives and friends.  After meals and other state courtesies, king Siddharth addressed the guests, "Since the day this child was conceived, our family has been blessed with increasing goodwill, respect, wealth, and mutual affection.  Cash, gold and gems have increased in our treasury.  The public has descended; there has been a continued enhancement in our glory, wealth, health and fame.  As such Devi Trishla and I have thought of a befitting name for this child "Vardhaman".

King Siddharth's suggestion was unanimously approved and the child was formally named Vardhaman.

One day Shakrendra, while talking in the assembly of gods, stated, "There is no person more brave, courageous and strong than Prince Vardhaman".  Praising an eight-year-old boy's bravery in the assembly of gods was a strange thing.  A skeptic jokingly said Shakrendra was exaggerating.  And he proceeded to test prince Vardhaman.

Vardhaman was playing with children of his age in the Jnatkhand jungle.  The game was to race to target tree, climb up, and come down.  The first one to reach the ground was the winner.

Vardhaman ran the race and was first to climb the tree.  Just then the boys on the ground, saw a ferocious cobra slithering up around the trunk of the tree and hissing with its raised hood.  The boys started trembling with fear and ran away.  From a safe distance they shouted, "Vardhaman, do not come down.  There is a black serpent on the tree-trunk.

Vardhaman, on his way down saw the snake and also heard the call of his friends.  He shouted back, "Be quiet, and don't be afraid".  He jumped down.  The snake followed and hissing it leapt at Vardhaman.  With astonishing agility, the prince caught the snake by its hood and with a jerk threw it away like a piece of rope.

After this, the boys started playing another game called Tindushak.  This game was also a race to a target tree.  The winner was to ride piggyback on the losers and return to the base.  The god who had come to test Vardhaman also joined the group in the disguise of a boy.  In the game when Vardhaman won, the god got Vardhaman on his back and started back for the base.  On way he transformed himself into a giant.  With the prince on his back the god flew in the sky.  The boys shouted with fear.  Vardhaman, undaunted, hit the giant with his mighty fist.  The god cried with pain and landed back to ground.  Vardhaman jumped from his back.  The culprit disappeared and in his place appeared a god, who begged Vardhaman's pardon.

When Vardhaman entered the ninth year of his age, his parents thought that it was time to impart martial and formal education befitting a Kshatriya boy to him.  They decided to send him to school.

When he went to the school he offered his respects to the teacher just like any other ordinary student.  In spite of having all worldly knowledge since his birth, by offering respect to his teacher, Vardhaman honored the age-old traditional ideals.  The teacher gave him the first lesson of the alphabets.  Vardhaman listened silently.  After sometime the teacher called him and asked, "Prince!  You are just idling, why don't you repeat the lesson and memorize it?"  In reply, Vardhaman replied the full alphabets.  The teacher was surprised.

While he was trying to fathom the surprising capacity of the little boy, an old Brahman, with a Tilak on his forehead, entered the school.  The teacher greeted him and offered a seat.  The Brahman asked some complex questions on grammar.  The teacher could not reply and remained silent looking down in disgust.  The Brahman smiled and said, "Acharya!  Please do not bother yourself.  May be, this new student of yours will solve my problem.  If you allow me, I may ask him?"

The teacher consented and the old Brahman put the complex questions before Vardhaman.  Little Vardhaman, without hesitating, gave correct and appropriate answers.  The teacher stared dumbfounded at the little boy.  The old Brahman smiled and said, "Acharya!  Please don't fell insulted.  You are not aware that the sun of knowledge of this era is present before you as prince Vardhaman.  He is the future Bhagavan Mahavir, the omniscient".

It is believed that Indra compiled his question and Vardhaman's answers into a book named Aindra Vyakaran (the grammar of the Indra).

Jnat clan to which king Siddharth belonged, was same as the Ikshvaku clan to which belonged Bhagavan Rishabhdev.  Siddharth and Rishabhdev both also belonged to the Kashyap family.  It is a matter of pride for the Ikshvaku clan and Kashyap family that 22 Tirthankars came from the same family.

Devi Trishla was the sister of Chetak, the president of the Vaishali republic.  Because of the paternal connection with Videh area she was also known as Videhdatta (dinna); her third name was Priyakarini.  (In figure, top)

Vardhaman's uncle or king Siddharth's younger brother was Suparshva.  Siddharth's elder son was Nandivardhan.  Nandivardhan's wife was Jyeshtha.  (In figure, middle)  

Vardhaman also had a sister named Sudarshana.  When and to whom Sudarshana was married is not mentioned anywhere.  However, her son Jamali was famous figure.  (In figure, below-right)

Although surrounded by unlimited wealth and grandeur, prince Vardhaman's mind and attitude was completely detached and purified by the five of discipline.  It was like a lotus flower in a pond.  The power and the glory of the kingdom never attracted him.  Even his marriage to Yashoda, daughter of prince Samarvir, was due to the affectionate persuasion and pressure by and from his parents.  Yashoda gave birth to a daughter, who was named Priyadarshana.  (In figure, below-left)  Prince Jamali married Sudarshana.

According to Acharang Sutra, three names of Vardhaman became very famous-

1.       His parents gave Vardhaman - This name, Vardhaman.

2.       Samane - Saman or Shraman indicates his natural unblemished intellect.

3.       Mahavir - This indicates his unique bravery, courage and tolerance.  The gods gave this name.

Another of his names was Sanmati.  Because of his purity of thoughts he also became famous by this name.  Other names of Bhagavan Mahavir, found in canonical literature are-Jnatputra, Vaishalik, Vir, Ativir, Antya Kashyap etc.

Detached from all mundane activities and desirous of becoming an ascetic in order to pursue the spiritual goal, Mahavir was keeping the matter pending due to his earlier resolution-"As long as the parents are alive I shall not think of taking Diksha".

When Mahavir became 28 years old his parents took the last vow of continued meditation without food.  They gradually purified their souls and left their mortal bodies with a serene mental state.  After their death Vardhaman told his elder brother, now king Nandivardhan, about his decision to become an ascetic.  Nandivardhan replied in choking voice, "Prince!  Loss of parents followed by your renunciation; how will I be able to bear these shocks at the same time.  Honor my desire and postpone your program for two years.

Vardhaman accepted his elder brother's request and stayed back for two more years.  But during this period he lived like an ascetic.  Indulging in spiritual particles with due discipline, he prepared himself for his impending renunciation.

Knowing about his resolve for renunciation, gods from the edge of the universe arrived and put forth the formal request, "O benefactor of the world!  Your resolve is great.  Please proceed on the path of renunciation and propagate religion for the welfare of the world".

Prince Vardhaman gave charity three hours everyday for one year.  Rich or poor, whoever came to Vardhaman was awarded whatever he desired.  At the end of one year Vardhaman was ready for renunciation.

It was the tenth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Margshirsh.  Prince Vardhaman had observed a ritual fast of two days.  A palanquin named Chandraprabh was prepared for his great renunciation.  Around afternoon Vardhaman came out of the palace and climbed into the palanquin.  The procession with the palanquin proceeded to Jnatkhand garden in the northeast of Kshatriyakund.  The palanquin was placed near an Ashok tree.  Vardhaman got down from the palanquin.  Thousands of eyes were staring at the prince.  His golden body was adorned with a beautiful dress and scintillating ornaments.  The next moment he had removed all the ornaments and his dress.  The only cover on his body was a piece of cloth resting on his shoulders and provided by Indra Vardhaman pulled out his hair in five fistfuls.  Indra collected his dress, ornaments and hair in a golden vessel.

After this he uttered in his deep resonant voice, "Namo Siddhanam" (I bow to the Siddhas or liberated souls).  Then he took the vow of ascetic life, "I take the vow of practicing equanimity all through my life and abandon all intentional sinful activities".

Bhagavan Mahavir, accepting the rigorous ascetic vow, resolved, "In my ascetic life I will remain equanimous in all conditions and circumstances.  I will tolerate every affliction or predicament caused by man, god, demon or animal equanimously, no matter how fearsome it is.  As long as I do not attain omniscience, I will continue to tread the fire paved path to purity with unflinching and firm steps".  A wave of reverence started and thousands of heads bowed with reverence and thousands of the throats uttered in union, "Victory be to Shraman Mahavir". 

After the austere vow the Mahashraman acquired Manahparyav Jnan which allowed him to perceive the feelings and thoughts of all beings.  His heart was filled with equanimity and compassion.  His face beamed with a spontaneous smile.  He walked with firm and steady steps towards the jungle without turning around or hesitating.

Suddenly there was a feeble call from behind.  The call of a pain filled heart retards the movement of a Mahashraman also.  Next moment a wiry and weak Brahman, moving briskly with the help of a stick, arrived and fell at the feet of the Mahashraman.  Tears were flowing from his eyes and there was an expression of pain on his pitiable face.  He uttered humbly, "Prince Vardhaman!  Kindly liberate me; give me something; remove my poverty".

Shraman Mahavir recognized the old man to be Som Sharma of Brahmankund.  Long back he used to come to king Siddharth's court.  The charitable king extended him all help by giving what he needed.  He was happy then.  But he was not seen after the king's death.

Som Sharma said, "Prince, I wandered around from one state to another after the death of King Siddharth, my mentor.  Wherever I went, my bad luck followed me.  After two years of wandering in vain, I have returned home this morning.  On my return my family members informed me about your yearlong charity.  Everyone got what he desired, but I, the ill fated, got nothing from your charitable hands.  Prince!  As soon as I reached home I came to know that abandoning everything you have become an ascetic only today.  Prince Vardhaman, have pity on this poor destitute.  Remove my poverty with your kind hands".

Mahavir was filled with compassion, but today he had nothing to give.  He suddenly thought of the divine cloth on his shoulder.  He tore it into two and gave one to the Brahman.  The Brahman was filled with joy.  He took this piece of cloth to a mender and inquired about its value.  The mender said, "Brahman!  How did you get this divine cloth?  It is just a part of the whole.  If you bring the other part also, I will mend it back to its original form and you could sell it for a hundred thousand gold coins".

The greedy Brahman ran back to Mahavir and followed him wherever he went.  After about a year the remaining piece of the divine cloth fell from Mahavir's shoulder.  Som Sharma picked it up, got it mended, and sold it to king Nandivardhan for a hundred thousand gold coins.

Rejection of the Divine Help - The day after his renunciation Mahavir left Jnatkhand garden.  At sunset be arrived near a small village called Kurmargram (identified as Kaman Chhapra today).  He stopped under a tree, and, standing rock still, started his meditation.  After sometime a cowherd arrived there with his oxen.  He wanted to go into the village to do his job of milking cows.  He approached the meditating Shraman and said, "Ascetic!  Please look after my oxen while I go into the village to milk cows.  I will return soon".  Without waiting for a reply the cowherd went away.  The oxen, untethered and uncared for, stayed into the nearby jungle.  On his return when the cowherd did not find his oxen, he asked, "Ascetic!  Where are my oxen?"  Mahavir remained silent.  The cowherd grumbled and started looking around.  He searched all around throughout the night in vain.  The oxen, in the mean time, returned and lay down near Mahavir.  When the exhausted cowherd returned in the morning and beheld this scene, he lost his temper.  He took Mahavir to be a thief in disguise, whom he had caught just before the thief was to flee with the oxen that he must have hidden during the night.  Without a second thought he started left large inflamed welts on Mahavir's naked body.  Even this excruciating pain did not distract Mahavir from his meditation.

Just then an overpowering divine person appeared and said in his commanding voice, "Stop it, you ignorant idiot!  You are committing a grave crime.  This person is no thief.  He is the son of king Siddharth.  He is Shraman Mahavir, a great yogi and a meditating ascetic".  The cowherd fell prostrate at the feet of Mahavir and repenting for his ignorance begged his pardon.  The divine person who had interfered was none else but the king of gods, Indra.  He bowed before the Mahashraman.  Disturbed by the inflamed marks on the body of Mahavir he said, "Prabhu!  These ignorant people will continue to cause you pain due to their foolishness.  Please allow me to be in you attendance to provide you protection".  Mahavir replied in all humility, "Devraj!  You should know that an ascetic on the spiritual path reaches the goal of purity with the help of his own practice, courage, and discipline.  It is never with the help of the king of gods or the king of demons that t a soul sheds all its Karmas and becomes an Arhant or gets liberated".  Full of reverence and praise, the king of gods bowed before Shraman Mahavir and departed.

The Afflictions by Shulpani - Wandering Mahavir one day arrived near a small forlorn village on the banks of river Vegvati.  Outside the village on a small hillock stood a temple surrounded by scattered heaps of bones and skeletons.  Considering it to be an appropriate place for his practices, Mahavir sought permission from the villagers.  The villagers informed him that this forlorn village was once a prosperous town.  The ferocious lance wielding demon, Shulpani Yaksha, whom dances and laughs on heaps of bones had turned this Vardhaman was his temple and he did not allow any one to stay there.  If at all someone stayed he did not come out alive.  The villagers tried to dissuade Mahavir from staying in the temple.

But Mahavir was determined to root out fear and sow the seeds of courage.  He insisted, and by evening he was standing at a spot within the temple, completely lost in his meditation.  When darkness descended, the air was filled with eerie sounds.  Shulpani, the Demon with a lance, appeared in the courtyard and started emitting fearful trumpeting noise.  He was surprised to see a human being standing fearlessly in meditation.  He produced thunderous roar that shook the thick walls of the temple.  But the ascetic still did not move, nor die he shows any change in his serene bearing.  The demon lost his temper and commenced his horrifying atrocities.  A mad elephant appeared and goaded Mahavir with its pointed tasks.  It lifted him in trunk and tossed around.  When this had no effect on Mahavir, a horrible ghost appeared and attacked Mahavir with its large canines and claws.  Next appeared a black serpent that attacked with its venomous fangs and toxic breath.  Finally he caused extreme pain in seven delicate spots within Mahavir's body (eyes, ears, nose, head, teeth, nails and the back).  Mahavir had an endless capacity to tolerate pain.  Even this extreme agony failed to pierce the serenity of his composure.

Drained of all his demonic energy, Shulpani became apprehensive.  He thought that he was facing some divine power much stronger then he and he was heading towards his own destruction.  All of a sudden a divine spiritual light illuminated his inner self.  Slowly his anger subsided, fear dissolved, and a feeling of goodwill took over.  He touched Mahavir's feet and with repentance and humility begged Mahavir's pardon.  Mahavir opened his eyes, and, raising his hand, said, "Shulpani!  Anger supplements anger and love begets love.  If you do not cause fear, you will become free of all fears always.  So destroy the poison ivy of anger".

Mahavir spent his first monsoon-stay at Asthik-gram.

Leaving Asthik-gram Mahavir proceeded in the direction of Shvetambika town.  The trail to this town passed through a dense and desolate forest.  When some shepherds saw Mahavir entering the forest they shouted, "O Monk, stay put for a minute.  This is a dangerous trial.  There is a black serpent with venomous gaze on this trail.  His hissing and gaze burn plants and trees.  Even flying birds and standing humans drop dead.  Please leave this trail and take a different route".

Mahavir heard this fear filled call of the shepherds.  With a serene smile he raised a hand as a gesture of assurance.  With firm steps Mahavir went near the snake-hole.  All around human and animal skeletons could be seen.  There was not a single green leaf as far as the eye could see.  Close to the snake-hole was a dilapidated temple.  Mahavir stood in the shade of this temple and started his meditation.

After some time the giant black serpent came out of its hole hissing fiercely.  It had seen a human being after a long time.  The man was standing firm and fearless with closed eyes.  The serpent was surprised.  It looked at Mahavir with its venomous red eyes.  Like flames from a ball of fire, its poisonous eyes emitted waves of venom.  It hissed awesomely.  But all this had no effect whatsoever on Mahavir.  The serpent was astonished-till today every man I came across has been consumed by my first venomous hiss and this man stands still, absolutely unmoved.

The serpent glanced at the sun and once again focused its gaze at Mahavir and hissed at him with renewed anger, but in vein.  It slithered from the line of the expected fall of the body and then with all its force sank its fangs in Mahavir's toe and injected all its venom.  It drew back and waited expectantly, again in vain.

The angry serpent, vexed further by its failure stung Mahavir twice again.  All its three attacks were wasted.  Mahavir stood undisturbed.  The serpent was astonished to see milk oozing out instead of blood from the spots where it had stung on Mahavir's toe.

Bhagavan Mahavir was standing unmoved.  His face was glowing and on his lips was a charming smile, like a blooming rose.  His eyes reflected the inner compassion.

The serpent continued to stare with surprise.  Confused by its failure it was lost in its thoughts.

Involved in his spiritual pursuits, Mahavir uttered in his deep and tranquil voice, "O Chandakaushik!  Open your inner eyes.  Be calm and remember you're past life.  Do not inject venom of anger in your life.  Rise above the deadly poison of anger.

Mahavir opened his ambrosia filled eyes.  When the serpent met his gaze, it felt as if a wave of peace and tranquility had engulfed its inner self.  It appeared that its venom was slowly vanishing.  It was lost in deep thoughts.  Its dormant memory started unfolding and it acquired Jatismaran Jnan.  Incidents from its past two births surfaced in its memory.  It realized that it had suffered excruciating pain and degradation due to extreme anger and acute attachment during those births.  The heat of repentance melted its vices.

Its spirit embraced enlightenment and mind became tranquil.  It touched the pious feet of Bhagavan Mahavir and resolved, "O Lord!  Now I will not look at any one at all throughout my life.  I will not eat anything.  I will not drink also.  I will just put my mouth in the hole and lie still in the shadow of your feet.  I will now at one for all my sins committed during the last three births and improve my future".

Knowing that the serpent had become harmless, throngs of people started arriving from nearby villages.  They worshipped the serpent-god by offering milk and sweets.  But the serpent was lying, keeping its hood in the hole, in meditation without even a trace of movement.  Swarms of ants were attracted by the sweets.  They started stinging the serpent.  But the serpent tolerated these afflictions with equanimity.  It silently took the last vow (fast unto death).  It almost perforated, but it did not react at all.  After fifteen days it died and was reborn as a god in the Sahasrar dimension.

Once, leaving Shravasti, Shraman Vardhaman was going to Haliddug village.  On the way he saw a large banyan tree.  Finding it suitable, he went under it and started his night meditation.  It was winter and a cold wind was blowing.  Gaushalak was also following him.  As Gaushalak could not tolerate the piercing wind, he shifted to the other side of the tree.  After sometime some wayfarers also stopped under the tree.  They collected dry wood and started a fire to cook food.  They spend the night there and kept the fire burning.

Early in the morning they broke camps and went away.  The fire was left burning.  Slowly it spread and engulfed the surrounding dry twigs and leaves gathered under the tree.  The wind was blowing in the direction of meditating Mahavir.  The fire slowly spread and reached the spot where Mahavir was standing.  Gaushalak shouted a warning.  But Mahavir had no awareness besides that for his soul.  He was unmoved by the heat of the approaching flames.  He was busy quashing the ultimate fire, the fore of rebirth.  The flames reached him and scorched his feet.  Even this acute pain did not reach the depth of his tranquility.  After some time the fire subsided on its own. 

Leaving Chorak village Mahavir arrived at the outskirts of Kalambuka village.  Two brother, Megh and Kalahasti ruled this village.  Although they were landlords and chieftains, they were still involved in unlawful activities like looting the neighboring kingdoms, raiding passing caravans, smuggling etc.  When Kalahasti saw Shraman Mahavir moving silently on a trail followed by Gaushalak, he stopped them and asked.  "Who are you"?  He neither got a reply from Mahavir nor from Gaushalak.  He took them to be spies from some neighboring kingdom.  Trying them with ropes, he tortured them inhumanly.  When he still could extract no information from them are ordered them, to be taken to his elder brother, Megh, for further torture and interrogation.

Shackled like criminals, they were produced before Megh, who felt as if he was looking at a known face.  He suddenly recalled that once he had seen prince Vardhaman at the court of king Siddharth.  This shackled spy seemed to have an uncanny resemblance with the prince.  He came closer and recognized that the person in bondage was none else burring prince Vardhaman who had become a Shraman.  He fell at the feet of Mahavir and, with tears of repentance in his eyes he begged to be forgiven.  When released Mahavir resumed his journey.

It was the fifth year of practices of Bhagavan Mahavir.  He moved into the Radh (or Ladh) country.  This area was also known as Vajra Bhumi or Shubhra Bhumi and was inhabited by scant and scattered population of rustic aborigines.  Gaushalak also followed Mahavir wherever he went.  The people of this area did not know anything about ascetics and their ways.  They started in astonishment when they saw a naked person standing like a statue at godforsaken places.  When they did not get any response or even reaction on shouting at him, they would go irritated and hit with sticks lances, bones and stones.  Some others would slash with wet bamboo canes that left inflamed welts and bruises on his body.  Shraman Mahavir equanimously tolerated all these tortures and continued his advance toward purity.

He wandered from one place to another and once in a while came across small villages.  Not so very often he would enter a village to beg food and mostly got dry and stale food.  However, most of the time he went without any food.  People would curiously stare at him and wild dogs would pounce on him and bite.  For their crude entertainment, the aborigines would pick up Mahavir and throw him on the ground.  Mahavir never uttered a word of protest.  He did not even gravely adverse circumstances Mahavir spent almost five primitives.  Under such gravely adverse circumstances Mahavir spent almost five months in that area during his first visit.  Once again, during the ninth year of his practices, Mahavir returned to this area for about six months.