Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara (a savior who has succeeded in crossing over life's stream of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow) of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization, they are the Gods of Jains. Mahavira abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening. Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe austerities for twelve and a half years, after which he attained Kevala Jnana(omniscience).
