He gave up attachment to his parents, friends, and relatives. He thought over the twelve Anuprekshas or matters of deep thinking according to the Jain scriptures. The twelve scripture are; all worldly things are temporary, the Soul alone is the sole resort, this world is beginning less and crooked, there is nothing to help the Soul, but the Soul itself, body, mind, etc., are essentially separate from the Soul, the Soul is essentially pure and the body, etc., are essentially impure, the Soul's bondage is due to the inflow of Karma in it, every being ought to stop this inflow, Emancipation is attained when Karma is absolutely got rid of, the emancipated Souls remain fit the foremost top of the filled spaces, in this world, to have the birth of a human being and to meditate on the nature of the Soul are the greatest blessings, and to have the three jewels as described by the Omniscient is the only morality. This began Prince Mahavira's search for enlightenment. During the first twelve years, he practiced the art of silence and meditation, doing his best to not harm any living creature. During this time, he suffered may trails and tribulations, but eventually in the thirteenth year, he attained perfect knowledge and perception. After obtaining this perfection, he began his missionary work. .
Prince Mahavira walked through India barefoot spending the next thirty years teaching his ascetic lifestyle. His teachings held no regard for societal class, the Prince spoke to beggars and kings alike converting people from all lifestyles. To those willing to listen, he taught the values of non-injury, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-attachment. When these virtues were obtained, you would obtain moksa, freedom from the cycle of birth-life-pain-death. At the age of 72 Mahavira died from fasting. The religion he founded has continued to this day and plays a vital role in the development of Indian history.