Jainism: Origin and Founder

Let us begin by understanding that Jainism, like many ancient Indian philosophies, did not begin with its most famous figure — Mahavira. Just like Buddha didn’t “invent” Dhamma but rediscovered it, Mahavira didn’t create Jainism. Instead, he was the 24th Tirthankara — a title for someone who has attained perfect knowledge and helps others cross over the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

🔍 Tirthankara literally means: “the maker of a ford or bridge” — someone who helps people cross the turbulent river of worldly existence (bhavasagar).

📜 The Lineage of Tirthankaras

According to Jaina tradition, 23 Tirthankaras came before Mahavira:

• The first among them was Rishabhadeva (Adinatha) — often linked with mythical narratives and even mentioned in some later Hindu texts.
• The 23rd was Parshvanatha, who lived roughly 250 years before Mahavira and has strong historical grounding, being mentioned in Buddhist texts too.

✅ Only Parshvanatha and Mahavira have clear historical evidence. The earlier Tirthankaras are more symbolic or mythological.

👑 Life of Vardhamana Mahavira (24th Tirthankara)

Let’s now look at the biography of Mahavira — not just as a saint, but as a historical reformer.

🧬 Birth and Background

• Mahavira’s birth name was Vardhamana.
• He was born around 540 BCE in Kundagrama (modern-day Kundalpur near Vaishali, Bihar).
• He belonged to the Kshatriya clan called Jnatrikas, and his father Siddhartha was their chief.
• His mother Trishala was a Lichchhavi princess, from the Vajji Sangha — a republican confederation.

🗣 This detail is significant. Unlike monarchies, Vajji was a gana-sangha — a tribal republic. So although Mahavira is often called a prince, his political environment was not one of absolute monarchy but of collective governance.

🚶‍♂️ The Path to Enlightenment

At the age of 30, Vardhamana left his home in search of truth — a common motif in Indian spiritual traditions (compare this with Buddha).

🌿 His Ascetic Life

• For 12 years, he practiced extreme austerity — tapasya.
• He lived without clothes, braved all weather conditions, and practiced deep meditation and fasting.

Jainism’s emphasis on asceticism and non-possession (Aparigraha) originates directly from this phase of Mahavira’s life.

🌳 Kaivalya: Attaining the Supreme Knowledge

• At the age of 42, he achieved Kevala Jnana (absolute knowledge or omniscience) under a sal tree on the banks of the Rijupalika river, near Jambhikagrama.
• With this enlightenment, he became:
  • Mahavira: “The Great Hero”
  • Jina: “The Conqueror” (of inner passions)
  • Nirgranth: “The Unfettered One” (free from all bonds)

📌 His followers came to be known as Jainas, and the doctrine as Jainism.

📖 First Sermon and Formation of Sangha

• After enlightenment, Mahavira gave his first sermon at Pava.
• He preached to 11 main disciples called the Ganadharas or Gandharvas.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Important Ganadharas:

• Among them were the three brothers — Indrabhuti Gautama, Agnibhuti, and Vayubhuti — along with Sudharman (also known as Sudhamma).
• These Ganadharas spread his teachings and played a major role in compiling the early doctrines.

📍 Later, Mahavira established a Jain Sangha — a community of monks and followers — at Pava.

🚶‍♂️ Mahavira’s Last Years and Death

• For 30 years, Mahavira travelled extensively across regions like Kosala and Magadha, preaching to kings and commoners alike.
• He often interacted with the courts of Bimbisara and Ajatasatru.
• He passed away at the age of 72 in 468 BCE at Pavapuri, near Rajgir (Bihar).

🗓️ According to some Jain traditions, Mahavira was born in 599 BCE and died in 527 BCE — but for UPSC, remember that 540–468 BCE is more widely accepted in historical timelines.

🧩 After Mahavira: Legacy and Lineage

• Of the 11 Ganadharas, only Indrabhuti Gautama and Sudharman survived Mahavira.
• After Mahavira’s death:
  • Sudharman became the first head of the Jain Sangha.
  • After him, Jambu led for 44 years.
  • Bhadrabahu, a later leader, was active during the time of Chandragupta Maurya.

⚠️ A lesser-known name — Jamali, who was Mahavira’s nephew and son-in-law, is sometimes mentioned as the first disciple in some Jain sources.