Meaning of the term Mahavira, Jina, Jitendriya used during ancient India
Mahavira was an ancient Indian philosopher and religious leader who is considered to be the founder of Jainism. He was born in 599 BCE in the ancient kingdom of Magadha, which is now part of present-day Bihar. Mahavira was a contemporary of the Buddha and is said to have been born into a royal family.
The term “Jina” is often used to refer to Mahavira and other spiritual leaders in the Jain tradition. The term “Jina” means “conqueror” or “victor,” and refers to the idea that these spiritual leaders have conquered their own desires and attachments in order to attain enlightenment.
Another term associated with Mahavira and Jainism is “Jitendriya,” which means “conqueror of the senses.” This term refers to the idea that the Jain practitioner must overcome the desires and passions of the senses in order to achieve spiritual liberation.
Mahavira is said to have lived a life of extreme asceticism, renouncing all worldly possessions and living as a wandering mendicant. He taught that the path to liberation from suffering involved the practice of strict ethical and spiritual disciplines, including non-violence, truthfulness, celibacy, and the avoidance of all forms of attachment and desire.
Mahavira’s teachings were recorded in sacred Jain texts known as the Agamas. The core beliefs of Jainism include the importance of non-violence, the existence of an eternal soul or jiva, the concept of karma, and the possibility of achieving spiritual liberation through the practice of strict ethical and spiritual disciplines.
Today, Jainism is still practiced by millions of people in India and around the world, and Mahavira is revered as one of the most important spiritual leaders in Indian history.