Who has seen mahavir bhagwan ?
Short answer: Yes — many people and devas saw Bhagwan Mahavir when he lived on earth.
Traditional Jain accounts name, among others:
- The 11 Ganadhars (chief disciples), led by Indrabhuti Gautam (Gautam-swami).
- Sudharma-swami (the last surviving Ganadhar) and his successor Jambu-swami.
- Kings and lay devotees: Shrenik (Bimbisara), Kunika/Ajatashatru, Chetak of Vaishali, Abhaykumar, Queen Chelna, and many householders.
- Chandanbala (the renowned donor at the time of parna).
- Makkhali Gosala (Goshalak), who accompanied Mahavir for some time.
- Devas, including Shakra (Indra), especially at the Kalyanaks (notably Janma and Diksha Kalyanak).
- His parents: King Siddharth and Queen Trishala, and the people of Kshatriyakund, Vaishali, Rajagriha, etc.
Notes by tradition:
- Shvetambar tradition generally places Mahavir’s earthly life as 599–527 BCE.
- Digambar tradition often gives 540–468 BCE (some texts cite nearby ranges).