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A young prince who gave up power, position and money to the path of Jainism. He spent twelve long years in strict meditation and became a light to millions.

Kundapura was a suburb of Vaishali, the capital of the Lichchavi Republic. On the outskirts of the town was a large grove of banyan trees. In the center of that grove was a very big tree.
One morning its branches were of boys who had climbed the tree. They were so deeply interested in their games that they had forgotten the whole world. One of the boys standing below looked up. At once he screamed, "A serpent, a serpent, a python!" He threw away stick in his hand and began to run.
The boys on the tree top were frightened. Right from the center of the trunk a serpent was moving down! At once all the boys jumped down and ran towards the town.

A few boys who ran away from the tree stood at a distance from it and looked back. The fearful form of the serpent could be seen even from that distance. But there seemed to be something close to the serpent. What could that be? The boys looked at it with wide- open eyes. A boy was sitting there unperturbed. What courage! Who could that be? The person on the tree was none other than Prince Vardhamana.
Immediately some of them carried the news to the palace. The Maharaja, the Maharani and the bodyguards rushed to the scene.

The brave young prince on the top of the banyan tree was watching the movements of the python without batting an eyelid. The python was also trying to terrify him. It was also bewildered. It hissed. Furiously it put out its split tongue. It looked at him threateningly. It made noises. It stood up as if to attack. It beat its tail very close as if to smash him. The brave lad sat firm like a mountain. The serpent accepted defeat. The brave lad stepped on the serpent and descended from the tree top as if he was stepping down a ladder.
The courage and fortitude of the brave prince astounded the people who watched him. The parents felt as if they themselves had come back from the jaws of death. They embraced the boy and kissed him. From that day the boy came to be known as Mahaveera (the Great Hero).

Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Saran are districts of the Bihar State today. Two and a half thousand years ago this region was called Vajjio ' country. It meant that it was the land of the Lichchavis. The same region was also called Videha. Its capital Vaishali was very famous. The river Gandaki flowed in the middle of the city of Vaishali. On each of its banks was a suburb. One of these was Kshathriya- kundagrama. The other was Brahmana- kundagrama. Kshathriyakundagrama was popularly known as Kundapura.
The country of the Lichchavis was a republic. Its chief representative who was elected by its constituent units was called the 'Ganaraja'. It had a king as well. But the king depended on the advice and the consent of the ganarajas in ruling the country. There was unanimity among the Lichchavis of Vaishali.They took decisions on all big questions after consultations. Their enemies were afraid of the Lichchavis because of this spirit of unity. One incident deserves to be remembered.
Ajathashathru was the King of Magadha. He thought of invading the Lichchavi Country. He went to Buddha for advice.
Buddha advised Ajathashathru thus: "No one can touch the hair of a Lichchavi so long as they meet together to exchange views, take unanimous decisions, do not violate laws, respect the words of their elders, honor their women, attend Jain temples and worship - and honor their saints." These are words of deep significance. Ajathashathru gave up his plan.
Chetaka was the famous King of Vaishali. He was the overlord of the smaller kingdoms of Kashi and the nine Lichchavis of Koshala. He had seven daughters.
Chetaka wanted to establish friendly relations with his neighbours. He gave his daughters in marriage to most important personalities. Only Sujyestha (Chandane) did not marry. She took the vows of Jaina Diksha and became a nun.
Thrishala was the eldest daughter of Chetaka. (According to the Jain Shwethambar sect Thrishaladevi was the sister of Chetaka.) She was always doing pleasing things. So Thrishala was called Priyakarini (she who does what is pleasing). Of all the ganarajas, Chetaka trusted and loved Siddhartha most. He was the Ganaraja of Kundapura. Kundapura was famous for its trade. Siddhartha was also a Jain. He belonged to the Gnathru sect among the Lichchavis. They were Kshathriyas. They were famous for truth and nonviolence. They did not eat meat. They never drank wine. So Chetaka celebrated the marriage of his first daughter Priyakarini with Siddhartha.

India has been the home of many religions, which have shown mankind the way to true happiness. Jainism (Shravana Dharma) is one of them. The Jains revere sixty-three great teachers of the past. They are called Thrishashti Shalaka Maha- purushas. They are: 24 Thirthankaras, 12 Emperors, 9 Narayanas, 9 Baladevas, 9 Prathinarayanas. Thirthankaras are also called Jinas. Arhanthas etc. The first among the Thirthankaras is Vrishabha- natha. He is also called Purudeva or Rishabhadeva.

Parshvanatha is the twenty-third Arhantha in the Vrishabhanatha Thirthankara order. Lakhs of people followed Jainism as it was taught by Parshvanatha. In Lichchavi they formed the majority. Like Chetaka, Siddhartha and Priyakarini were also deeply influenced by the Jainism taught by Parshvanatha. Their lives were devoted to good thoughts and good deeds. They practised Ahimsa in action, word and thought.

Priyakarini became pregnant. Summer dawned. It was the year 599 B.C. On the morning of Monday, the thirteenth day in the first fortnight of Chaithra (the first month of summer), a boy was born. With lightning speed the news was carried to the king.
The nurses made way for Siddhartha as soon as he arrived. A decorated cradle by the side of the cot - a living jewel inside it! This was the light the two spirits had brought forth, the young and bright hope of their family.
Siddhartha seemed to fill his sight with Priyakarini. He spoke to her to his heart's content. And Priyakarini forgot all the pain of childbirth.
It was the eleventh day after the birth of the child. The child was to be given a name. Kundapura wore a festive appearance. There was joy everywhere. Green festoons smiled everywhere and rows of lights brightened every house in the night.
Everyone received a generous gift. Every citizen of Kundapura got a Gadyana (a gold coin). The poor were fed. Prisoners were set free and given food and clothing. Every one wished Siddhartha's son joy and prosperity. The citizens named the child as Vardhamana. The parents called him Veera.

Vardhamana grew stronger from day to day. He began to crawl on all fours. He spoke sweet wards. He was as intelligent as he was lovely. At the age of five Vardhamana did not know what fear was. He used to go fearlessly anywhere at any time. Once he was playing with his friends. A wild elephant began to run towards the playground. The elephant crushed under its feet anything that crossed its path. It struck with its trunk anyone who came in its way. Seeing this from a distance the playmates of Vardhamana began to shiver. They ran helter-skelter. But Vardhamana, fearless, stood still and firm. The elephant saw the little boy. It stretched its trunk. The boy quickly escaped. The elephant lifted its trunk once again. Vardhamana rushed forward and held its trunk, put his foot on its knee and quickly climbed over its crown, sat on its neck, patted its cheek and brought the elephant under control. He took the elephant to the palace. No danger could dim his courage. So he came to be known as Mahaveera.

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