The Spiritual Ferment of 6th-Century India

In the 6th century BCE, the Indian subcontinent simmered with religious and philosophical dissent. Brahmanism, with its rigid caste hierarchy and contested interpretations of the Vedas, faced growing criticism. Amid this intellectual unrest, two revolutionary movements emerged: Buddhism and Jainism. While Buddhism eventually spread beyond India, Jainism—though lesser-known globally—retains over a million adherents in its homeland today.

Western scholars once mistakenly considered Mahavira, Jainism’s 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher), a disciple of the Buddha. However, as Jain scriptures in Tamil and other regional languages became accessible, academics recognized Jainism as an independent tradition with roots predating Buddhism. Rejecting Vedic authority, Jainism emphasized asceticism as the path to liberate the soul from rebirth’s cycle. Its followers claim it as India’s oldest religion, citing Vedic hymns as evidence.

Mahavira: The Seeker Who Became a “Great Hero”

Born as Vardhamana around 540 BCE in a republican clan near modern-day Bihar, Mahavira’s name translates to “Great Hero”—a title earned by his triumph over rebirth. According to Jain texts, his mother had twelve prophetic dreams before his birth, foretelling his spiritual greatness. Though raised in luxury as a nobleman’s son, Mahavira grew disillusioned with worldly life amidst the Gangetic Plain’s cyclical famines, wars, and epidemics. These hardships shaped a prevailing worldview that saw existence as suffering, with asceticism as the only escape.

At 30, after his parents’ ritual suicide (a practice called sallekhana), Mahavira renounced his family, wealth, and even clothing. He joined the ascetic order of Parshvanatha, Jainism’s 23rd Tirthankara, who had lived 250 years earlier. Dissatisfied, Mahavira embarked on his own extreme penance: enduring insect bites without flinching, plucking out his hair, and wandering naked while eating just once a day. For twelve years, he avoided staying anywhere longer than five days to avoid burdening communities.

Enlightenment and the Founding of a New Order

Mahavira’s breakthrough came under a shala tree. Achieving kevala jnana (omniscience), he realized the soul could break free from rebirth through ethical living and austerity. Over the next 30 years, his teachings attracted kings and commoners alike. Unlike the Buddha, who initially excluded women, Mahavira welcomed female ascetics—even appointing his niece (or aunt, accounts vary) as head of 36,000 nuns after she survived abduction and abuse.

Jainism’s fourfold community—monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen—followed strict vows:
– Ahimsa (non-violence), extending to microscopic organisms
– Truthfulness and rejection of theft
– Celibacy (for monks) or marital fidelity (for laity)
– Non-attachment to possessions

Lay Jains could pursue professions while adhering to modified vows, such as avoiding long journeys (to prevent harm to creatures) or fasting periodically. This adaptability helped Jainism endure where Buddhism faded.

The Philosophical Core: Karma, Rebirth, and the Three Jewels

Jain metaphysics revolved around samsara (rebirth), where souls cycled through human, divine, or animal forms based on accumulated karma. Unlike Brahmanism, which involved gods in judgment, Jainism held individuals solely responsible for their liberation via:
1. Samyak darshana (Right Faith)
2. Samyak jnana (Right Knowledge)
3. Samyak charitra (Right Conduct)

Extreme asceticism purified karma; even accidental harm (like stepping on insects) required atonement. During monsoons, monks settled indoors to avoid crushing new plant life—a practice still observed.

Schisms and Survival: The White-Clad and Sky-Clad

After Mahavira’s death in 468 BCE, Jainism split into two major sects:
– Digambaras (“Sky-Clad”): Monks renounced all possessions, including clothing
– Svetambaras (“White-Clad”): Wore simple robes, permitted women’s liberation

Despite doctrinal disputes, Jainism survived Islamic invasions that devastated Buddhist monasteries. Its lay communities preserved texts orally before committing them to writing in the 1st century CE.

Jainism’s Legacy: From Ancient Vows to Modern Influence

Today, Jainism’s imprint on India is profound yet paradoxical:
– Its merchants dominate industries while adhering to vegetarianism and philanthropy
– The religion’s non-violence ideals influenced Gandhi
– Urban Jains now grapple with caste prejudices their founder rejected

With over 4 million adherents promoting eco-friendly lifestyles and animal welfare, Jainism remains a living testament to Mahavira’s radical vision—one where every soul, human or microscopic, holds the spark of divinity.