________________
49/जैनों का संक्षिप्त इतिहास, दर्शन, व्यवहार एवं वैज्ञानिक आधार
Tirthankara Arishtnemi was born 84,000 years before the birth of Lord Mahaveer and the 21st Tirthankar 5 lac years before that. The cosmic time division in Jains is in 6 aeons each of descending and ascending order.
The first era of a descending order (Avasarpani) is Sushama-Shushama, Sushama, Sushama-Dushama, Dushama-Sushama, Dushama, Dushama-Dushma. Each consisting of four crore (sagaropam) years, (i.e. beyond calculation) 3 crore-crore, 2 Crore- Crore, 1 Crore less by 42000 years consisting of four aeons. The fiftth one 21000 ordinary years and this sixth one of 21000 ordinary years respectively. The Ist Tirthankara Rishabhdey was born in Illrd aeon and attained salvation three year and 8.5 months before the end of the Iird era. So also Mahaveer attained 'Nirvana'in the same period before the end of the IVth era. Except Rishabdeo all Tirthankares belonged to the IVth era. The account of all 24 Tirthankares and remaining 39 great personages has been given by: ‘Kalikal- Sarvagya' Hamachandrcharya in his treatise - 'Trishast Salgha- Purush.' The others are 12 Chakravartis, 9 Baldeos, 9 Vasudeos as and 9 pratiVasudeos. Baldeo's brother was Vasudeo Krishna, who belonged to the period of Tirthankare 'Neminath'. Rishabdeo finds mention in 'Bhagwat Purana' and Vishnu Puran'. No other Tirthankars figure in Hindutexts.
There is a distinct Jain- Ramayan, called 'Padma Charitra' of 'Padma Purana'. Padma is the Jain name of 'Ram'. In Jain Ramayana the account of 'Padma' given in Trishasti Salgha- Purush', Laxman is held 'NarayanVasudeo' and Ram is Baldeo, Ravana being 'prati
