MAHAVIR

The name Mahavir means ‘Great Hero’. Although Jainism existed before Mahavir was born, he is accredited with popularizing it throughout India. He was the twenty-fourth Tirthankar, which means a holy Jain teacher. As a religious reformer, he revised the Jain teachings, thus establishing the central tenets of Jainism.

EARLY YEARS

Mahavir was born in 599 B.C. in the ancient kingdom of Lachuar in the State of Bihar in North India. His father, Siddharth, was a King and a great astrologer. His mother, Queen Trishala, had very beautiful dreams about Mahavir, even before he was born. In her dreams, she saw signs telling her that her son would be a great soul and guide the world to be free from miseries.

Mahavir’s arrival was very lucky to his father’s kingdom, which saw

Mahavir

Saints of India

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