Volume - III
Major Sections
Culture Course

MAHAVIRA

Many and fearful were the troubles he met with during his tapas. He bore them all with a smile, for the sake of mankind, whom he wanted to save. God Indra was so struck by his endurance that he called him " Maha -vira or the "Very brave one."

As a result of his tapas, all hisweaknesses dropped away and Mahavira got spiritual powers.

He was then called Jina. Jina means con- queror. He started preaching dharma. Its first principle was ahimsa, or love for all living beings, and no hatred for anyone.

He asked every one to speak only thetruth. "Do not cast eyes on another man’s property." he said. Mahavira made no difference between one caste andanother.

He took many disciples from the lower castes. Soon people, learned in theVedas, kings and nobles became his disciples, and led the life of monks.

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