He was popularly known as Mahavir (very brave) since he showed a high level of courage and fearlessness. At an early age, he realized that worldly happiness and pleasures do not last forever and are based mostly on the inconvenience, miseries, and unhappiness of others. He therefore planned to renounce his worldly life, his possessions, and worldly pleasures in search of true spiritual happiness. However, he knew that his parents would be very sad and hurt if he did this so he decided not to renounce his current life while they were still alive. His parents passed away when he was 28 years old. He was now ready to renounce his worldly life by giving up his family, friends, and possessions; but again postponed it for two more years at the request of his older brother, Nandivardhan. During this period he donated all his wealth to the poor and the needy. Finally, at the age of 30, he renounced his worldly life and became a monk. Mahavir spent the next twelve and a half years in deep silence and meditation to conquer his desires, feelings, and attachments. He carefully avoided harming or annoying other living beings including animals, birds, and plants. During this time he also observed severe austerities, fasting most of the time, moving bare feet from place to place, and facing all types of hardships peacefully.

About 2600 years ago, religion in India took on a very ugly turn. The management of the original four classes of society - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras had deteriorated. Brahmins were learned people and considered themselves to be very superior. The fate of Shudras or untouchables was terrible and they were required to serve the other castes forever performing the most degrading tasks. They were not allowed to engage in other professions. The importance of sacrifices as a symbol of giving up and renouncing had been misconstrued and it had taken on a very violent form. Animal sacrifices were performed regularly and people believed that these sacrifices would please the Gods and in return their wishes would be fulfilled. Under such social and religious conditions, Mahavir was born in the month of Chaitra on the 13th day of the waxing (increasing in size) cycle of the moon in 599 BC as per the Indian calendar. This day falls in the month of April and is celebrated as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak day. He was born in the region known as Kshatriya-kund or Kundalpur in the present-day state of Bihar, India. His parents were King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. Queen Trishala was the sister of King Chetak, the King of Vaishali. Bhagawan Mahavir had an older brother named Nandivardhan and a sister named Sudarshana. The family’s prosperity started increasing ever since Queen Trishala conceived Bhagawan Mahavir, so they named him Vardhaman, which means to “increase”. From his early childhood he was intelligent, affectionate, and compassionate. At school he hardly needed any instruction. He excelled in all his subjects. He also proved to be quite fearless. Once when he was playing with his friends, a big snake appeared in the field. His friends were scared and ran away when they saw the snake but Vardhaman was unafraid. He caught the snake and put it in the nearby trees. On another occasion a giant monster came to frighten him but Vardhaman was unmoved.

During this meditation period of twelve and a half years: • He faced a fierce and poisonous snake, Chandkaushik, and calmed him down with his compassionate approach • He suffered peacefully when a farmer put nails in his ears • He accepted food from a house-maid, named Chandanbala, to break his approximately 6 month long fast • He endured all adverse conditions and hardships caused by uncivilized people with patience and forgiveness Significant points of the Teachings of Bhagawan Mahavir: Mahavir-swami made religion simple and natural, and free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the internal beauty and harmony of the soul. Mahavir-swami taught the significance of human life and stressed the importance of a positive attitude in life. Bhagawan Mahavir’s message of non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and non-possession/non-attachment (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. Bhagawan Mahavir said, “A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh, but it is the abode of the soul which has the potential for infinite knowledge (Anant-Jnan), infinite perception (Anant-Darshan), infinite happiness (Anant-Sukha), and infinite power and energy (Anant-Virya).” Mahavir’s message reflects the freedom and spiritual joy of living beings.