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Jainism
Dr. Sir Radhakrishnan, however, believes tha Vedic references clearly mean the particular Jaina Tirthankara.1
Anyway, it is quite obvious that by the name mentioned in the hymns is meant a great man of the name of Rṣabha. And so long as there is no indication of any other great man of the same name, how can it be said that the great man referred to is not Lord Rṣabha, the Jaina Tirthankara.
Another reputed Vedic scholar, Swami V. P. Vadiyar Vedaratna also clearly expresses his opinion that the person referred to is none else but Lord Rsabhadeva, the Jaina Tirthankara.2
Several authentic dictionaries of Samskṛta and Hindi also give as meaning of word Rṣabha, the first Jaina Tirthankara of that name.3 The Yajurveda, Samaveda and other branches of the Vedic literature also make a mention of his name.*
In this connection, Mr. Kamta Prasad (in 'Who was the founder of Jainism'-J.A.-I, 2, p, 21) remarks "It seems either they have no knowledge of him or they did not want to disclose it owing to religious animosity, which indeed made many alterations and additions in the Vedas", (as Pargitor also observes in AIHT, p. 11, and Asur India, Introd. p. IV).
1 Indian Philosophy, p. 287-especially the Yajurveda. 2 Jaina Patha Pradarśaka, III, 3, p. 106.
3 SabdaKalpadruma, Sabdartha Cintamani, PadmaCandra Kośa, HindiViśvakosa, Hindi Sabdasāgara (Kaśi N. P. Sabha), Hindi Kośha (Bhaskara series, Meerut ).
4 Rgveda (10, 12, 166; 8, 8, 24 etc.), Yajurveda (9, 25; 25, 19 etc.), Samaveda (1, 1, 103) and commentaries.
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