Mahavira, << muh hah VEE ruh, >> was the main organizer of the Jain religion. He lived and taught in India about 2,500 years ago. Mahavira belonged to a long line of spiritual heroes called Tirthankaras << tihr TUHNG kuh ruhs >> . Jains believe the Tirthankaras freed themselves from their karma (the material burden resulting from their deeds) and achieved a state of spiritual liberation. The Tirthankaras encouraged others to dedicate themselves to peace and spiritual purification. Mahavira means the great hero. Mahavira also was known as Jina, meaning conqueror.
Mahavira was born in the 500’s B.C. to a prominent family in northern India. He began his spiritual quest at the age of 30 and is said to have achieved kevala, a state of eternal bliss and awareness, about 12 1/2 years later. He then taught throughout northern India for about 30 years, gathering thousands of disciples (followers).
Mahavira mainly taught his disciples to be nonviolent and truthful, not to steal or be possessive, and to control sexual desires. Jain principles state that the universe is full of countless eternal souls bound to be reborn until they take up the path of spiritual practice. Mahavira also taught that not only people and animals but also the air, fire, soil, and water contained souls. He urged people to take care in all their actions and strongly supported vegetarianism.
