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which shows the existence of a temple of Sappu" in Rajagrihi in Buddha's time (Lord Arishtanemi, p. 86). In the Rig Veda itself mention has been made of the first Tirthamkara, Risabha Deva, by name (Rig Veda, X.12. 168), though the Hindus now interpret the text in a way to obliterate the reference. Hindu scholars are, however, not wanting who have sincerely felt the identity to be undeniable (Historical Gleanings, p. 76; the Jaina Pathapradarśak, Vol. III, Part 3, p. 106). It is interesting to note that Jaina writers have quoted many other passages from the Vedas themselves which are no longer to be found in the current editions. Weeding has very likely been carried out on a large scale. This may be accounted for by the bitter hostility of the Hindus towards Jainism in recent historical times.
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RISABHA DEVA
Further references to Jainism are to be found in the Hindu books under various names. The term arhan" repeatedly occurs in the oldest of the Vedas. There is also the text मुनयः वातदलनाः which is descriptive of Jaina Saints (Rig Veda X. 136-2 and Indian Antiquary, Vol. XXX. p. 280), as Dr. Webber admits. Jaina saints were also termed śramanas; and there is a mention, in the Rig Veda, of śramanas who interfered in the Hindu sacrifices ("Bhagwan Parsva Nath,"
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