Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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Jainism before Lord Mahāvira 'beloved of men'. He lived for thirty years in great splendour and happiness as a householder, and then, forsaking all his wealth, became an ascetic. After 84 days of intense meditation, he attained the perfect knowledge of a prophet, and from that time, he lived for about seventy years in the state of most exalted perfection and sainthood. At last, he attained Nirvānal (liberation) in 777 B.C. on the summit of Mount Sammedaśikhara, now named Pārsvanātha hill after him.
A man of practical nature, Pārśva was remarkable for his organizing capacity. He organized the Samgha (Organization) efficiently for the propagation of Jainism. He had eight ganas and eight ganadharas, namely, Subha and Aryaghosha, Vasishtha and Brahmachārin, Saumya and Śrīdhara, Virabhadra and Yaśas. He had an excellent community of 16,000 Śramaņas with Aryadatta at their head; 38,000 nuns with Pushpachūlā at their head; 164,000 lay votaries with Suvrata at their head; 372,000 female lay votaries with Sunandā at their head;" 350 sages who knew the four Purvas; 1,400 sages who were possessed of the avadhi knowledge; 1,000 kevalins; 1,100 sages who could transform themselves; 600 sages possessing correct knowledge; 1,000 male and 2,000 female disciples who had reached perfection; 750 sages, cach gifted with a mighty intellect; 600 professors and 1,200 sages in their last birth. Here the Digambara texts differ. According to them, there were ten ganas and ten ganadharas among whom Svayambhū was the chief apostle. They also differ in giving the number of nuns, laymen and female lay votaries which, according to them, was twentysix thousand, one lac and three lacs respectively. The numbers given above seem to have been exaggerated, but the division of Jaina Samgha in different branches proves the great organizing capacity of Paráva. He is said to have visited many cities, the most important of which for the dissemination of Jainism are Ahichchhatrā, Amalakappā, Savatthi, Kāmpillapura, Lágeya, Rāyagiha, and Kosambi.
According to the Jain tradition, the sacred literature descending from the time of Pārsva was known as Purras 1. Kialba, 168-169.
2, Ibid., 160-164. 3. Ibid., 166.