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This Agam presents the multifaceted personality of Shri Krishna. Despite being the ruler of three realms, he was a devoted son to his parents. To fulfill his mother Devaki's desire, he worshipped the Hariṇai-gameṣī Dev. He had immense affection for his brother and unwavering devotion to Lord Arishtanemi. While he displayed extraordinary valor on the battlefield, crushing his enemies and appearing as strong as a thunderbolt, his heart melted with compassion upon seeing an elderly person, and he even lifted him up to help. Upon hearing of the destruction of Dwarka, he inspired everyone to take Pravrajya (renunciation) under Lord Arishtanemi, assuring them that he would take care of their families. He readily granted permission to his own queens, sons, daughters, and grandsons who wished to embrace Pravrajya. The Āvaśyaka-cūrṇi mentions that he was deeply appreciative of virtues. He admired the shining teeth of a dog, even while it was infested with insects, which is a clear indication of his appreciation for virtues.
This Agam mentions the renunciants who took Pravrajya under Lord Arishtanemi until the fifth chapter. Lord Arishtanemi is the twenty-second Tirthankara. Although modern historians do not yet consider him a historical figure, his historicity is undeniable. History is moving towards accepting this. When Shri Krishna, who lived in the same era, is considered a historical figure, there should be no hesitation in accepting him as well.
Not only in the Jain tradition, but also in the Vedic tradition, Arishtanemi is mentioned in numerous places. The word Arishtanemi appears four times in the Rig Veda. In the verse "33. Swasti Nastārkshyo Arishtanemiḥ 34," the word Arishtanemi refers to Lord Arishtanemi. Additionally, the Rig Veda 34 mentions "Tārkshya Arishtanemi" in other verses. The Yajur Veda 25 and the Sama Veda 36 also refer to Lord Arishtanemi as Tārkshya Arishtanemi. The word Tārkshya is used in the Mahabharata 27, which should be another name for Lord Arishtanemi. The teachings he gave to King Sagara about the path to liberation closely resemble the teachings of Jainism on Moksha. 28 From a historical perspective, it is clear that the Vedic people during Sagara's time did not believe in Moksha. Therefore, these teachings must have originated from a sage belonging to a Shraman culture.
The Yajur Veda mentions Arishtanemi in one place as follows: "I offer an oblation to the omniscient Neminath, who revealed the Adhyatma Yajna, who gave true teachings to all the glorious beings in the world, and whose teachings strengthened the souls of beings." 39
33.
(a) Rig Veda 1.14.89.6. (c) Rig Veda 3.4.53.17.
Rig Veda - 1.14.89.91.9.16.1.12.178
(b) Rig Veda 1.24.180.10. (d) Rig Veda 10.12.17.8.1.
.1.
34.
35. Yajur Veda 25.19.
36. Sama Veda 3.9.
37.
Mahabharata Shanti Parva - 288.4.
38.
Mahabharata Shanti Parva - 288.5.6.
39. Vajasaneyi Madhyandina Shukla Yajur Veda, Chapter 9 Mantra 25, Satavalekar Edition (Vikram 1984).
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