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History of Nirgrantha tradition 47
ancient Jaina texts have accepted without any controversy that Rşabha like Mahāvīra was a propounder of five Mahăvratas, and the code of conduct he laid down resembled that of Mahāvīra. The account of Rşabha is available right from Rgveda to Purāņas. Dr. Radhakrishnan says "the names of Ajita and Aristanemi along with that of Rşabha are also found in Yajurveda. The biographical data of Rsabha available in Purānas and Bhāgavat is very close to that of Jaina tradition. Anguttara-nikaya of the Buddhists mentions the names of the early seven Tīrthankaras, which also includes Araka (Ara). Similarly, Theragāthā mentions the name of Ajita Thera who is called Pratyeka-buddha. However, we do not have much historical evidence regarding the middle twenty-two Tīrtharkaras. Our faith in them is only based on the Jaina Āgamas and the narrative. Mahāvira and Ājivaka Tradition
After having given a brief sketch of the early history of Jaina dharma, we come back to the time of Mahāvīra and we find some informative hints in Kalpasūtra and Bhagavati-sūtra on the basis of which we are able to ascertain a relationship of Mahāvīra with Ajivakas besides his relation with post Pārsva monks.
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