Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 5

SR No.: 008006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 616
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 14 MB

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Though Lord Risabha's activities were associated with Northern India, it may be safely asserted that his cult was prevalent probably throughout India and beyond
*When Lord Risabha abdicated his kingdom in favour of his sons, he portioned out the country to his descendents before adopting Tapas He forgot to assign any territories to Nami and Vinami-two junior members of the tribe. They appealed to him very late and through the intervention of one of the Devas, they were asked to settle down in the territory south of Vindhya Hills and to found the kingdoms associated with the Vidyadharas. This tribe of Vidyadharas must therefore be considered as an allied tribe to the Ikshvāku group to which Lord Risabha and Bharata belonged. These Vidhyadhara kings who settled in South of India are supposed to be fore-fathers of the Great Ravana who ruled over Lankā and Vālî and Sugriva who had their kingdom in Kishkhindi Though Valmiki Ramayana described them as cannibalic Rakshasas, and subhuman tribe of monkeys, the Jaina tradition is entirely different, and describes them as highly cultured human tribes of Vidyādharas consisting of two branches of which one IS associated with Vali and Sugriva of Kishkhindâ Jana writers make it quite clear that the latter called Vânaras by Valmiki is called so by a mistake due to a confusion They had a Kapı-dhvaja-a monkey was inscribed on their banner for which they were called Vanara -dhvajas, in short Vanaras. The point to be noted here is that the Jaina tradition that is found in all the Jaina works of Sanskrit and Tamil, makes it clear that these Vidyadharas were followers of Ahimsa Dharma because of their association with Lord Risabha As followers of A-himsā Dharma they were certainly worshippers of Jina and were deadly opposed to animal sacrifice, which was prevalent about that time."
*Early History of Jainism From 'Contributions of Jainism to World Culture" Jaina-Antiquary December 1943 By Prof. Chakravarti,
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