mahavrata

Jainism

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

In Jainism, mahavratas are the five "great vows" undertaken by ascetics. These vows include non-injury (ahimsa), abstaining from lying and stealing, chastity, and renouncing all possessions. Ahimsa, or non-injury, is the most crucial principle, extending to all living beings, including insects and plants.123

Lay Jains observe anuvratas, or partial vows, which are more moderate versions of the mahavratas. These include vows against gross violence, falsehood, and stealing, as well as contentment with one's own spouse and limiting possessions. The accumulation of karma, material generated by actions, binds the soul to rebirth, hindering spiritual progress. Jain ethics, based on right knowledge, faith, and practice, aim to purify the soul and achieve liberation (moksha).145

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

9 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Jain vrata
The mahavratas, or five “great vows,” are undertaken for life only by ascetics and include vows of noninjury, abstention from lying and stealing, chastity, and renunciation of all possessions.
Read More
The mahavratas, or five “great vows,” are undertaken for life only by ascetics and include vows of noninjury, abstention from lying and stealing, chastity, and renunciation of all possessions.
Read More

Parshvanatha
…the five “great vows” (mahavratas) of Jain ascetics. While Parshvanatha allowed monks to wear an upper and lower garment, Mahavira gave up on clothing altogether. According to tradition, the two sets of views were reconciled by a disciple of each of the Tirthankaras, with the followers of Parshvanatha accepting…
Read More
…the five “great vows” (mahavratas) of Jain ascetics. While Parshvanatha allowed monks to wear an upper and lower garment, Mahavira gave up on clothing altogether. According to tradition, the two sets of views were reconciled by a disciple of each of the Tirthankaras, with the followers of Parshvanatha accepting…
Read More

ahimsa
…observing the great vows (mahavrata), ahimsa entails the greatest care to prevent the ascetic from knowingly or unknowingly being the cause of injury to any living soul (jiva); thus, ahimsa applies not only to human beings and to large animals but also to insects, plants, and microbes. The interruption…
Read More
…observing the great vows (mahavrata), ahimsa entails the greatest care to prevent the ascetic from knowingly or unknowingly being the cause of injury to any living soul (jiva); thus, ahimsa applies not only to human beings and to large animals but also to insects, plants, and microbes. The interruption…
Read More