What does the word Mahavira stand for? The one who destroys the evils, protects the world and permeates the universe is a Mahavira. Mahavira is he who is devoted to his mother, who abandons all worldly comforts, who has compassion for all living organisms and who has triumphed over all his senses. Mahavira is one who realizes the ideals and virtues envisaged by the Aryan race. One who triumphs is a veer and one who triumphs over outer and inner selves is a Mahaveer. Veer means Arya, Mahaveer means arihant.