The Question of His Dates

Mahavira is a historical figure, but his dates are not settled, and the disagreement runs along both confessional and scholarly lines. The Svetambara tradition dates him 599-527 BCE; the Digambara place his final liberation in 510 BCE. Most modern historians, noting that he was very likely a near-contemporary of the Buddha and following recent redatings of the Buddha's own life, place him somewhat later than the traditional figures, broadly in the fifth century BCE.

The tradition marks the two ends of his life with major observances: his birth at Mahavir Jayanti, and his passing, his attainment of final liberation (moksha) at Pava (Pavapuri), at Diwali, which Jains keep as the anniversary of his nirvana. In presenting him it is worth holding the confessional datings and the historical-critical estimate distinctly: the traditional years carry religious authority within the community, while the historians' range reflects the comparative evidence.