Lord Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. Lord Mahavira was born on the thirteenth day of rising moon of Caitra month, in 599 B.C. in the present state of Bihar, India.
His birthplace, believed to have been near the modern city of Patna, was known as Kundgram. His birthday falls in the month of April as per Gregorian calendar. His mother was Queen Trishala and his father was King Siddhartha. Both his parents were followers of Lord Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. When the soul of Lord Mahavira was conceived by Queen Trishala, she saw the fourteen great dreams.
Trishala Mother’s 14 Great DreamsKing Siddartha and Queen Trishala named the new born as Vardaman; since he was conceived, there was continuous increase in wealth, jewels strength etc. in the country. When Vardhaman was eight years old, he was playing with his friends. He climbed the tree before all the other children. A snake climbed along with him. The other children were frightened and ran away.
But Vardhaman picked the snake and put it aside. He was given the name ‘Mahavira’. He was very intelligent and possessed transcendental knowledge as well. At a very young age Lord Mahavira was detached from all mundane activities and was desirous of becoming an ascetic in order to pursue the spiritual goal. He took a resolution that till his parents were alive, he would not take Diksa. Fairly early in life, he was married to a charming princess, Yashoda. Yashoda gave birth to a girl who was named Priyadarsana. His parents passed away by observing fast unto death (santhara) when Vardhaman was 28 years of age.
Following his parents’ demise, he decided to take permission from his elder brother Nandivardhan, who dissuaded him from renouncing worldly life for two more years because was unable to bear the loss of his parents as well as his brother, Mahavira. Practising Samayika at his palace, Mahavira lived for two more years in the palace, meditating and spending his time living like a monk. He observed fasts and practiced celibacy until the day of renunciation.