Jina Mahavira Vardhamana was the founder of the Jain religion, which teaches salvation through ascetic living.

Mahavira (great Hero) is the honorific title of Vardhamana. Jina is the name given to saviours in the Jain religion.

Mahavira was an ascetic monk who reformed the religious order of Jaina. He advocated nonviolence, vegetarianism, and acceptance of the 'Five Great Vows' which are abstinence from violence, from falsehood, from stealing; contentment with one's own wife, and lack of possessions.