According to Osho, Mahavira’s twelve years of sadhana signify not the power of ascetic austerities, but the ripening of uninterrupted awareness (vivek). By remaining alert while walking, eating, sitting—even sleeping—he broke pramad, the inner stupor. The twelve years exemplify sustained vigilance that transforms consciousness; only wakefulness cuts bondage, whereas restraint merely replaces one chain with another.
It’s not about doing harsh practices, but about staying awake inside everything you do until the inner sleep ends.