What is Mahavira?
[[File:Vardhaman Keezhakuyilkudi.jpg|thumb|Rock cut sculpture depicting Mahavira at Samanar Hills, Keezhakuyilkudi, Madurai, [[Tamil Nadu]]]] '''Mahavira''' (599 BC-527 BC), also known as 'Vardhaman', was 24th [[Jain]] [[Tirthankara]] (Teaching God). He was born in 599 BC in [[Bihar]] state of [[India]]. He revived the Jain Dharma with five moral teachings under broad headings of Non-violence(Ahimsa), Truthfulness (Satya), Non-stealing (Asteya), Control of senses including mind (Brahmacharya), and Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha). Mahavira preached that ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-injury) is the supreme virtue.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIHXAAAAMAAJ|page=13|title=Jaina Tradition in Indian Thought|isbn=9788185616841|last1=Jaina|first1=Hīrālāla|last2=Jaina|first2=Dharmacandra|date=2002-01-01}}</ref> He is not the founder of Jain religion. He was preceded by last 23 Thirthankaras.Gradually,janism spread to Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, tamil nadu and karnataka. ==Images== <gallery> Mahaveer.jpg|Four sided sculpture depicting Mahavira (found during excavation at ''[[Kankali Tila]]'', Mathura) Tirthankaras.jpg|Sculpture depicting ''Tirthankara Rishabhanatha'' (left) and Mahavira (right), British Museum Ahinsa_Sthal.jpg|13 ft. 6 inches high single stone statue of Lord Mahavira at Ahinsa Sthal, New Delhi </gallery> == References == {{reflist}} {{bio-stub}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mahavira}} [[Category:590s BC births]] [[Category:527 BC deaths]] [[Category:Indian religious leaders]] [[Category:Nonviolence advocates]]