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rituals and sacrifices were time-consuming and Bihar. His father Siddhartha was the head of
expensive. Many poor people could not afford famous Kshatriya clan. Vardhmana's mother
the dakshina or fees demanded by the Thrishala was a princess of the Lichchavi clan.
brahmanas who performed the sacrifices on She was the sister of the ruler of Vaishali.
behalf of others.

Around this time, new methods of agriculture
were introduced in North India. The people
cleared the thick jungles here with the aid of iron
axes. The new agricultural economy based on
the iron ploughshare required the use of bullocks,
Hence, the farmers strongly disliked the killing of
cows and bullocks in Vedic sacrifices.
Rapid Urbanisation
This period also saw the rise of a large number of Vardhamana
cities include Kausambi and Kusinagar in Uttar Vardhamana was married to a girl named
Pradesh and Vaishali in Bihar. Artisans and Yasoda. He was, however, not interested in the
merchants began to live in these cities. Earlier, life of a householder. At the age of 30, he
these merchants traded through barter. Now, for became an ascetic. During the next 12 years, he
the first time ever, they began to use coin money wandered from place-to-place. It is said that he
in their trade. But, many old people disliked the never changed his clothes during these 12 years!
use of coin money and the luxuries of city life. At the age of 42 years when he attained the
They wanted to revert to the simple lifestyle of highest spiritual knowledge or kaivalya, he
the Pre-iron Age. They yearned for a religion that discontinued wearing clothes. He was now called
would encourage such a simple lifestyle. Mahavira (Great Hero) or Jina (conqueror). He
The above circumstances were thus best suited propagated his religion for 30 years in places
for the origin and growth of new religions. such as Kosala, Magadha, Mithila and Champa.
Initially, more than sixty religious groups or sects He passed away at the age of 72 years, in 468
emerged in north Indian. Many of these sects BCE, at a place called Pavapuri near Rajagriha.
were based on regional customs and rituals Teachings of Mahavira
practiced by different communities. Among these
Mahavira said that the aim of every human being
sects, Jainism and Buddhism evolved as the most
should be to attain what he called ‘Nirvana.’
important and popular religions.
There are three ways to attain it — Right Faith,
VARDHAMANA MAHAVIRA AND Right Knowledge and Right Action. Man’s deeds
JAINISM should be based on these three jewels which are

Vardhamana Mahavira was the founder of known as Triratna.
Jainism. The followers of this religion are called Mahavira told his followers that there was little
jains. Some jains believe that Mahavira was the use in performing the Vedic Ceremonies. Instead,
last of the twenty-four tirthankaras or religious one should try to lead a good and pure life and
teacher. not to do wrong. He taught his followers a lesson
Vardhamana was born in 540 BCE in a village in Ahimsa or non-violence. They were forbidden
called Kunapura or Kundagrama near Vaishali in to kill any living being. Mahavira considered it a

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