Mahavira: The Great Enlightened Soul

This story is dedicated to the memory of the late Shri Ravi Jain, who, despite his battle with cancer, took the time to review this story and provide invaluable feedback. May his soul rest in peace.

Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It may be older than Hinduism, as you find mention of the first Jain Tirthankar in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. Buddhism came much later. Jainism was in prominence more than three thousand years before the advent of Buddhism.

Another interesting feature is that the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism, Mahavira Swamy, and the founder of Buddhism, Gautam Buddha, were contemporaries. While Jainism remained confined within the limits of India, Buddhism spread much faster. It not only spread within India but also throughout Asia.

The reason could be that Jainism had no royal patronage. Buddhism, on the other hand, had the royal patronage of King Ashoka and other Kushan kings. It spread to countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Japan, and China. Buddhism had fewer restrictions, and it was easier to follow the Middle Path as advocated by Buddha.

Jainism laid down strict ascetic rules to be followed rigorously. Monastic restrictions prevented monks from travelling overseas, as they traditionally travelled only on foot. Dietary restrictions, like eating limited vegetarian food, also restricted their movement.

The lives of Mahavira and Gautam Buddha had a lot of similarities. Both were born as princes in the lap of luxury. Both left their families at a young age in search of enlightenment. Mahavira was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama near Vaishali in Bihar. It was the 13th day of the bright half-moon in the month of Chaitra, which falls either in March or April.

We celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on 31st March this year, 2026. He was the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. He was named Vardhaman, one who grows and prospers.

Gautam Buddha was born as Siddhartha in Lumbini, Nepal, around 563 BCE. His father, Suddhodana, was the King of Kapilavastu, and his mother was Queen Maya Devi.

Both Gautam Buddha and Vardhaman grew up in royal comfort. Silk garments, golden ornaments, and the finest luxuries surrounded them. Both were educated in statecraft, philosophy, and martial arts. Eventually, Vardhaman married Princess Yashoda, and they had a daughter named Priyadarshana. Gautam Siddhartha married Yashodhara and had a son by the name of Rahul.

Vardhaman, later known as Mahavira Swamy, saw suffering everywhere—animals being slaughtered, people consumed by greed, anger, and ignorance. The pleasures of the palace began to feel hollow. A question echoed in his heart: What is the purpose of life if it is filled with pain and impermanence?

At the age of 30, after the death of his parents, Vardhaman made a decision that would change everything. One quiet night, he looked at his sleeping family for the last time. There was love in his eyes, but also a deeper calling. Without anger, without regret, he renounced his royal life. He removed his ornaments, abandoned his wealth, and walked away into the darkness—alone.

This moment, known as the "Great Renunciation," was not an escape. It was a courageous leap into the unknown in search of ultimate truth. Mahavira's journey was not easy. For twelve long years, he wandered through forests and villages, enduring unimaginable hardships. He practiced extreme asceticism.

He fasted for days, sometimes weeks. He remained silent for long periods. He meditated in scorching heat and freezing cold. He bore insults and humiliation without anger. His goal was not to conquer the world—but to conquer himself. He believed that the true enemies were not outside, but within: anger, pride, deceit, and greed. These inner passions bound the soul to suffering. Through discipline and meditation, he began shedding these layers, like a flame burning away darkness. After years of relentless effort, the moment finally arrived.

At the age of 42, while meditating under a tree on the banks of the Rijupalika River, Mahavira attained Keval Jnana— infinite knowledge, perfect perception, and complete liberation from ignorance. The restless seeker had become the enlightened one.

He now saw the universe as it truly was—every soul, every action, every consequence, interconnected in an eternal cycle of karma and rebirth.

But unlike many who attain enlightenment and withdraw from the world, Mahavira chose to return—to teach, to guide, and to awaken others.

He believed that every living being is a soul and has the potential to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. He treated men and women as equals, and there was no gender bias in his teachings. However, he realised that men and women are different because of their gender. Therefore, he created different gender-based Achar—Code of Conduct—for them, while treating them equally. Jainism believes that women are as much entitled to emancipation as men.

Two sects of Jainism have different views on whether women can obtain Nirvana or Moksha.

The Svetambara sect believes women can attain liberation directly in their current life, while The Digambara sect believes a woman must first be reborn as a man to achieve salvation.

The Svetambara sect holds that women can attain liberation. They point to the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath, as being female and believe that gender is a physical, not spiritual, constraint.

The Digambara sect believes that a woman cannot attain Moksha directly because, unlike monks, nuns are not allowed to be naked (a requirement for total non-attachment), and their body type is considered less suitable for the highest penance. Despite differing on direct liberation, both sects agree that women can achieve high levels of spiritual advancement, take monastic vows as nuns (Sadhvis/Aryikas), and build positive karma for future liberation.

For the next 30 years, Mahavira travelled across India, spreading his teachings. He spoke in simple language so that everyone—kings, merchants, farmers, and even outcasts—could understand.

At the heart of his message were five महान व्रत (Great Vows):

1. Ahimsa, Non-violence. Do not harm any living being. Not just humans, but animals, insects, even the smallest forms of life. Mahavira taught that every soul is sacred and deserves respect.

Speak the truth—but with kindness and care.

2. Truth is not just about words, but about living authentically, without deceit.

3. Do not take what is not freely given—not just objects, but also ideas, credit, or

Control over desires leads to clarity of mind and spiritual strength.

4. Let go of possessions and attachments. The more we cling, the more we suffer.

5. 'Kusheel'—Conduct of men towards women. Mutual respect.

Mahavira also taught the idea that truth is complex and has many sides. This principle is called 'Anekantwaad'. He encouraged people to be open-minded and tolerant, to understand that their perspective is only one part of a larger reality.

At the age of 72, Mahavira reached the final stage of his journey. In the town of Pavapuri, surrounded by his followers, he delivered his last teachings. His voice was calm, his presence radiant.

Then, in a moment of profound peace, he attained Nirvana—freedom from the cycle of birth and death. It is said that the night of his liberation was illuminated by countless lamps, as if the universe itself was celebrating. This event is commemorated as Diwali in the Jain tradition—not just as a festival of lights, but as a symbol of inner awakening.

Mahavira did not leave behind monuments. He left something far more powerful—a path.

A path of compassion in a violent world. A path of simplicity in a materialistic age. A path of self-realization in a distracted society.

His teachings continue to guide millions of Jains around the world. But more than that, they speak to all of humanity. What makes Mahavira's story so deeply moving is not just his enlightenment—but his journey.

• He gave up everything—not because he hated the world, but because he loved truth more.

• He endured suffering—not because he was weak, but because he was strong enough to face it without hatred. He taught non-violence—not as a rule, but as a way of seeing the soul in every living being.

Imagine a man who had everything—wealth, power, family—and still chose to walk barefoot into the unknown. Imagine enduring pain without anger, silence without loneliness, and solitude without fear.

Imagine conquering not kingdoms—but the self.

That was Mahavira.

And his message still echoes: Live and Let Live. Love All. Harm None.

Mahavira's contemporary, Gautama Buddha, was 29 years old when he left his palace. He said goodbye to his wife, Yashodhara, and son, Rahul, to pursue the spiritual path. It was a defining moment known as the Great Renunciation. Siddhartha Gautama left his luxurious life in Kapilavastu to seek the solution to human suffering, including sickness, old age, and death.

He spent six years as a wandering seeker. Ultimately, he achieved enlightenment at the age of 35, meditating under the Bodhi tree to become the Buddha.

His teachings of Buddhism are based on the Four Noble Truths:

1. Buddha says life inevitably involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. There is also pain of aging, sickness, death, and not getting what one wants. What hurts more is the deep impermanent nature of life. And the root cause of suffering is craving, desire, or attachment rooted in ignorance.

2. It is possible to end suffering by overcoming craving and attachment. This cessation, or letting go of craving, leads to liberation and inner peace, known as Nirvana.

3. Gautam Buddha teaches that the way to eliminate craving and end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddha, having experienced both intense luxury as a prince and extreme self-mortification as an ascetic, realized that neither led to awakening. Therefore, he suggested the Middle Path, which envisages:

4. Right View, to understand the Four Noble Truths.

5. Right Intention of Renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness.

6. Acting ethically (no killing, stealing, or sexual misconduct).

7. Earning a living in a way that does not harm others.

8. Preventing unwholesome states and cultivating wholesome ones.

9. Being aware of body, feelings, and mind.

10. Developing deep mental focus and calm.

The Middle Way also avoids the philosophical extremes of eternalism (believing in a permanent soul/self) and annihilationism (nihilism, believing death is total annihilation). The Middle Path teaches that all things arise and pass away due to causes and conditions, avoiding the extremes. 4. The path to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. Gautam Buddha teaches that by following this path with sincerity and discipline, one can overcome craving, cultivate wisdom and compassion, and ultimately attain Nirvana, a state of complete freedom from suffering. Both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were born into royal families and renounced lives of comfort in search of the ultimate truth. Both sought answers to the suffering of humanity and dedicated their lives to guiding others towards peace, compassion, and liberation. While their paths and philosophies differed in many respects, their teachings continue to inspire millions of people across the world.

Mahavira emphasized Ahimsa, self-discipline, non-attachment, and the equality of all living beings. Gautama Buddha taught the Middle Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path as the way to overcome suffering and attain Nirvana. Both believed that lasting happiness does not come from wealth or power but from conquering one's own mind and desires.

More than two and a half millennia have passed since Mahavira and Gautama Buddha walked on this earth, yet their message remains as relevant today as ever. In a world often divided by violence, greed, intolerance, and conflict, their teachings remind us of the timeless values of compassion, truth, humility, self-control, and respect for all forms of life.

Their lives were not merely stories of great spiritual leaders; they were journeys of courage, sacrifice, and self-discovery. They showed that the greatest victory is not over others, but over oneself.

Perhaps that is why, even after centuries, the voices of Mahavira and Gautama Buddha continue to guide humanity towards a more peaceful, compassionate, and enlightened world.