Lord Mahavira — The Third Birth as Marichi and Other Twelve Births

Lord Mahavira — Thereafter, he was born as Marichi, the grand-son of Rushabhdev Bhagwan who was the first Tirthankar of the current time cycle. He was the son of King Bharat. When Lord Rushabhdev took Diksha, following him, even Marichi took Diksha from Rushabhdev Bhagwan. However, he could not tolerate the hardship of penance, strict rules and regulations prescribed for Sadhus. Thus, he established Tridandi, a separate path that was somewhat liberal as compared to that prescribed for Sadhus. Nevertheless, he continued to travel with Rushabhdev Bhagwan although he followed his separate course.

Once King Bharat asked Lord Rushabhdev that who else from our family would become a Tirthankar. Bhagwan was Omniscient; hence, he had the knowledge of everything. So, he replied that from the family, your son Marichi will become the final Tirthankar of this Chovisi. Moreover, before becoming a Tirthankar, he would be the first Vasudeva of this era and would become a Chakravarti too. Hearing this, King Bharat was very happy. He went to Marichi, bowed down before him and said, “I am not bowing before you because you have renounced the world. I am bowing before you because you are going to become the last Tirthankar in future, and you shall become the first Vasudev and a Chakravarti too.” Upon hearing this, Marichi felt very proud thinking, “I…