Mahavira title (‘Great Hero’) of Vardhamana Jnatrputra (sixth century B.C.), Indian religious leader who founded Jainism. He is viewed within Jainism as the twenty-fourth and most recent of a series of Tirthankaras or religious ‘ford-makers’ and conquerors (over ignorance) and as the establisher of the Jain community. His enlightenment is described in the Jaina Sutras as involving release of his inherently immortal soul from reincarnation and karma and as including his omniscience. According to Jaina tradition, Vardhamana Jnatrputra was born into a warrior class and at age thirty became a wandering ascetic seeking enlightenment, which he achieved at age forty-two. See also JAINIS. K.E.Y.