When Mahavir was a child and youth , was he aware of the previous tirthankars like Pashwnaath and Adinath ? What kind of religious childhood and lifestyle did he lead in the childhood and youth days ?
Based on the sources, Mahavira was indeed aware of the previous Tirthankaras, particularly Parshva. His parents were followers of Parshva, the penultimate Tirthankara who lived about 250 years earlier, and Mahavira is described not as the founder of Jainism but as its "rejuvenator, propagator and exponent" of a tradition taught by Parshva and other omniscient teachers [5]. This indicates he was raised in a religious environment that recognized the lineage of Tirthankaras, including earlier ones like Adinath (Rshabha), who is mentioned as the first Tirthankara in the tradition [1].
As a child and youth, Mahavira led a princely but spiritually inclined life. He was born into a royal Kshatriya family in Kundalpur (part of the Vaishali republic) to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala, and was named Vardhaman because the family's prosperity increased after his conception [3][4]. From early childhood, he was unusually intelligent, fearless, affectionate, and compassionate; he excelled at school with hardly any instruction needed, and showed courage by catching a snake and remaining unmoved by a giant monster [3][4]. He received a thorough education as a royal prince, studying the arts, the Vedas with their angas, and the whole range of Brahmanical learning [1]. He realized at an early age that worldly happiness is impermanent and based on the misery of others, so he planned to renounce the world, but he delayed doing so because he knew his parents would be sad; he married Princess Yashoda and had a daughter (per the Shvetambara tradition) before his parents passed away when he was 28 [3][4]. After their death, he renounced the world and pursued a life of severe austerities for twelve years before attaining Kevalinship [1][5].
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The early days of Mahavir (born as Prince Vardhaman) were spent in a royal Kshatriya family, as Jain tradition holds that all Tirthankaras are born into warrior royal families because it provides an environment to experience that material comfort brings no permanent happiness [2]. His parents were King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala, who was the sister of King Chetak of Vaishali [2][3]. The family prospered from the moment of his conception, which is why he was named Vardhaman, meaning "ever-increasing prosperity" [2][4]. He had an older brother named Nandivardhan and a sister named Sudarshana [2][4]. The sources do not mention Mahavir hunting or eating meat as a child. His childhood is described as unusually intelligent, fearless, affectionate, and compassionate — he excelled at school with little instruction and showed great courage, such as catching a snake by the tail and throwing it away, and remaining unmoved when a giant monster tried to frighten him [3][4]. This bravery earned him the name Mahavir, meaning "very brave" [4]. His parents, along with the Naya Kshatriyas, were worshippers of Lord Parsva Nath (the 23rd Tirthankara), and they established a monastery named Duipalasa near their town to provide facilities for Parsvanath worshippers performing their religious rites [1]. At a mature age, he married Princess Yashoda and had a daughter named Priyadarshana (though the Digambar tradition holds he did not marry) [3]. He realized worldly pleasures were fleeting and wanted to renounce, but waited until his parents passed away when he was 28 years old [3][4].
The "8 days" refers to the eight specific days in the Jain calendar that are designated as *asvadhyaya* (periods when scriptural study is prohibited) due to the four great festivals (*Mahotsavas*) and the four days following them (*Mahapratipada*). These are: the full moon days (Purnima) of Ashadh, Ashwin (Asoj), Kartik, and Chaitra, plus the first day of the bright fortnight (Ekam) following each of these full moons—specifically in Shravan, Kartik, Margashirsha, and Vaishakh [1][3][5]. These eight days are the only ones with direct scriptural authority for this type of festival-related prohibition. While some regional traditions have added other days, such as the Bhadarva (Bhadrapada) Purnima, bringing the total to ten days in some areas, these additions are considered mere tradition without original scriptural proof [1]. The core eight days are the ones mentioned in the sutras, and studying on them incurs the prescribed atonement (*prayashchitta*) [1]. The eight-day duration also aligns with the tradition of the eight-day festival (*Ashtanhika*) celebrated in honor of the Chakra Ratna, as described in the Jambudveep Pragnapti, where King Bharat ordered an eight-day grand festival [2].
According to the Jain scriptures, Lord Mahavir's height was **seven cubits (सात हाथ)** tall [1][2][3]. A cubit is an ancient unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, typically around 18–21 inches (45–53 cm). Therefore, seven cubits would roughly translate to approximately **10.5 to 12.25 feet (3.2 to 3.7 meters)** tall. The scriptures also describe his body as having a *sam-chaturasra* (perfectly symmetrical) structure with a *vajra-rishabh-narach* constitution, meaning his joints were perfect and exceptionally strong [1][2][3]. His complexion was fair, like a line of gold or the pollen of a lotus [2][3].
Based on the provided sources, here are a few notable incidents from Lord Mahavira's life: - **Harassment by people and insects:** After his renunciation, his body was anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste (goshirsh-chandan). Attracted by the scent, numerous insects like bumblebees stung his body, sucked blood, and tore flesh for more than four months. Also, while he stood in meditation, some people would greet him while others beat him with sticks or played the veena to distract him, but he remained unmoved and absorbed in his meditation [1]. - **Troubles by the god Sangama:** The god Sangama created many obstacles (upasargas) for Lord Mahavira, including defiling all the pure food and water in the village of Gokula where the Lord had gone to break his fast. Despite this, the Lord felt no anger or hatred. Realizing the Lord's spiritual strength and unwavering resolve, Sangama eventually fell at his feet and sought pardon, which the Lord granted [2]. - **False complaint by other sages:** During his first rainy season retreat in Moraka, cows grazed around his hut and even destroyed it, but the Lord did not drive them away. Other sages, unable to tolerate his patience, lodged a false complaint against him with the Head-Ascetic, claiming people thought Mahavira was the only true ascetic while they were "a band of rogues" [3].
Based on the provided context, Devs (divine beings) do not have organs and blood in the same way humans do. The texts describe Devs as capable of "vikriya" (self-mutation), meaning they can transform their bodies at will, including creating a complete body from all parts of their body [1]. They can also perform activities like speaking, eating, and excreting in two ways—through a specific part of the body or through the whole body [1]. The context also clarifies that Devs have a "bhava sthiti" (birth or genus-specific life span) and "bhavayushya" (birth-specific life span), meaning they do not reincarnate in the same genus, unlike humans who have "kaya sthiti" and "addhvayushya" [2]. Additionally, when Devs fight wars, they transform into animals like bulls or buffalos rather than using actual animals [3]. This indicates their bodies are not fixed like human bodies with organs and blood, but are instead mutable and capable of transformation.
Based on the provided context, the specific raag (musical mode) in which Tirthankaras delivered their sermons is not mentioned. The texts describe the divine atmosphere and attributes of their sermons, but do not specify a particular raga. However, the context does describe several divine musical elements associated with Tirthankaras' sermons. The Jambudveep Pragnapti Sutra mentions divine music and sound accompanying celestial events, and the "108 Attributes" text notes that "Music from divine drums at the time of sermons" is one of the 19 attributes created by heavenly gods [4]. Additionally, the Tirthankar's sermon is described as being delivered in Ardha-Magadhi language, understood by all beings, and heard clearly up to one Yojan away [4]. The context also mentions that sermons were delivered in the Samavasaran (divine assembly hall) with various divine embellishments [4]. While the specific raga isn't identified, the emphasis on divine music suggests that musical elements were integral to creating a conducive atmosphere for the sermons, likely to enhance the spiritual impact on listeners.