Born: Vardhamana. Bihar
540 BC – 468 BC
72 Years

Age 42
Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He preached for 30 years after that.

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence or non-injury): Mahavira taught that every living being has sanctity and dignity which should be respected as one expects one’s own sanctity and dignity to be respected. Ahimsa, Jainism’s first and most important vow, applies to actions, speech, and thought.
2. Satya (truthfulness): Applies to oneself and others.
3. Asteya (non-stealing): Not “taking anything that has not been given”
4. Brahmacharya (chastity): Abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures for monks, and faithfulness to one’s partner for householders.
5. Aparigraha (non-attachment): For lay people, an attitude of non-attachment to property or worldly possessions; for mendicants, not owning anything.