In contrast to the Brahmanical position, what did Mahavira and the Buddha emphasize?

Individual agency and liberation from worldly existence

The Buddhist texts provide a fascinating insight into the vibrant discussions and debates that flourished during ancient times. These texts mention the existence of numerous schools of thought, as many as 64 sects, which engaged in intellectual exchanges. Teachers, traversing different regions, endeavored to persuade both fellow philosophers and common people about the validity of their philosophical doctrines or their unique interpretations of the world.

These debates were commonly held in kutagarashalas, small huts with pointed roofs, or in tranquil groves where wandering mendicants sought shelter. Interestingly, when a philosopher managed to successfully convince one of their rivals, the followers of the latter would often become their disciples, leading to fluctuations in the support for each sect over time.

Notably, several of these teachers, including Mahavira and the Buddha, challenged the authority of the Vedas, emphasizing the importance of individual agency. They propagated the idea that both men and women could strive to achieve liberation from the trials and tribulations of worldly existence. This perspective stood in stark contrast to the Brahmanical position, which previously assigned an individual's destiny based on their birth in a specific caste or gender.