Question

Who was the mother of Mahavira?
a. Trisala
b. Mahamaya
c. Yasoda
d. Amrapali

Answer 1

Hint:
Mahavira was born in 599 BCE and he was the last of 24 Tirthankaras i.e. the ones who promoted Jainism and reformed a community. He was known for his attainment of “kevala”, i.e., a stage of high perception who accepted to follow the great five vows in life.

Complete step by step solution:
Mahavira, who is also known by the name Vardhamana, was born in the family of the ruler of Nata, Siddhartha and his mother were Trishala, who was a Kshatriya by caste. His mother Trishala is also known by several other names such as Videhadatta, Priyakarini, or Trishala Mata.

As per the Jain scriptures and texts, the mother of a Tirthankara sees a number of auspicious dreams when the embryo is inside the womb and when Trishala, who lived nearly 2,500 years ago, saw dreams in her sleep, she would wake up her husband Siddhartha and told him about the dreams. The next day, Siddhartha would ask the intellectuals of his dynasty the meaning of dreams, to which they had told Siddhartha that the child would be born courageous and full of principles.

- Dream of an elephant
- Dream of a bull
- Dream of a lion
- Dream of Laxmi
- Dream of flowers
- Dream of a full moon
- Dream of the sun
- Dream of a large banner
- Dream of a silver urn
- Dream of a lake filled with lotuses
- Dream of a milky-white sea
- Dream of a celestial vehicle
- Dream of a heap of gems
- Dream of a fire without smoke
- Dream of a pair of fish
- Dream of a throne

According to many scholars and intellectuals, Mahavira was probably born and lived at the same time as the Buddha. Mahavira was born a Kshatriya just like Buddha, and grew up in Vaishali (Bihar), from where both Buddhism and Jainism have originated.


Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
The Mahavratas or the great five vows of Jainism are believed to be the path where the individual doesn’t make any new karma in life with his Jiva (or soul). The following are the five vows:
- non-violence
- truthfulness
- not stealing
- non-acquisition
- chaste living