Mahāvīra’s Great Renunciation The Making of a Tīrthaṅkara Episode 2

What compels a prince to renounce power, privilege, and comfort in search of the ultimate truth? In Episode 2 of the Mahāvīra Documentary Series, Dr. Pankaj Jain explores the transformative moment of Vardhamāna’s renunciation — the decisive turning point that shaped him into Bhagavān Mahāvīra, the 24th Tīrthaṅkara of the Jain tradition. This episode examines:• The socio-political world of 6th century BCE India• The inner and philosophical motivations behind renunciation• The śramaṇa ideal of ascetic discipline• The concept of aparigraha (non-possession) as a civilisational ethic• Renunciation as a radical critique of power and material accumulationMoving beyond hagiography, this documentary situates Mahāvīra’s renunciation within the broader Dharmic quest for liberation (mokṣa)—a pursuit that redefined ethics, selfhood, and responsibility toward all living beings. Through textual insights, historical context, and philosophical reflection, Episode 2 reveals how renunciation was not an escape from the world but a profound engagement with the nature of reality, suffering, and freedom. About the Presenter: Dr. Pankaj Jain is Director of The India Centre and Professor & Head of Humanities & Languages at FLAME University. Author of Jainism: From Bhagwan Mahavira to Mahatma Gandhi (2025), he is a Fulbright-Nehru Fellow and globally recognised scholar of Dharma traditions, sustainability, and Indian intellectual history.

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Mahāvīra’s Great Renunciation The Making of a Tīrthaṅkara Episode 2 is an episode from Discover India Podcast by Professor Pankaj Jain, Ph.D. by Prof Pankaj Jain.

This episode is 00:04:50 long.

This episode was published on Mar 11, 2026.

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