According to Osho, Mahavira denied God, worship, prayer, and even love because, as a Tirthankara, he offers an impersonal ford, not a hand-holding relationship. Personal devotion breeds dependence and bondage; principles and self-effort free you. He sets the path, maps the crossing, and leaves your freedom intact—no emotional entanglement, no mediator, only your responsibility to traverse.
He builds the safe steps across the river and lets you walk them yourself, so you don’t cling to anyone or anything.