IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MAHAVIRA

Religion: Jainism.
Parents: Siddhartha, Trishala.
Birth Name: Vardhamana.
Period: 540–468 BC.
Birthplace: Kundaligrama, Vaishali, Bihar.
Wife: Yashoda.
Clan: Kshatriya.
Child: Priyadarshana / Anoja (daughter).
Renunciation: At the age of 30.
Enlightenment: At the age of 42 (attained *Kaivalya* or perfect knowledge).
Place of Enlightenment: Jrimbhikagrama village, Bihar.
Tree of Enlightenment: Sal tree.
Epithets: Jina, Mahavira, Arhant, Tirthankara, Jaina, Jitendriya, Kevalin, Nirgrantha.
Teachings: *Tri-ratna* (Three Jewels).
First Sermon: Delivered at “Pava,” Bihar.
Sacred Text: Agama Siddhanta.
Language of Teaching: Prakrit.
Place of Death: Pava, Bihar.
Age at Death: 72.
Sects: Digambaras, Shvetambaras.
Symbol: Lion.
First Disciple: Jamali (husband of his daughter Priyadarshana).
First Female Disciple: Chandana Bala.
He left home at the age of 30 and wandered for 12 years in search of the truth.
At the age of 42, at a place called Jrimbhikagrama on the banks of the Riju-palika River, he attained enlightenment—known as *Kaivalya*—beneath a Sal tree.

Mahavira delivered his first sermon at “Pava” to a group of 11 disciples known as *Gandharas*. He passed away at the age of 72 at Pavapuri, near Rajagriha.
He was known as a Jaina or Jitendriya (one who has conquered his senses); he was also referred to as Kevalin (the enlightened one), Nirgrantha (one free from all bonds), Arihant (the blessed one), and Mahavira (the brave one).
In Jain scriptures, he is addressed as Vira, Viraprabhu, Sanmati, Ativira, and Gnanaputra.
After Mahavira’s death, the only one of his 11 disciples (Ganadharas) who remained alive was Sudharma.