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ROLE OF JAINISM IN MODERN INDIA
DR. B. H. KAPADIA
According to Jain Cosmography our present India is known as Bharatakhand, situated in the Jambudvipa. It is known and designated as Bharatakhand after the name of Bharata, the son of Lord Rsabhadeva, the first Tirthankara out of the twenty-four Tirthankaras of this "Avasarpini", a long aeon of time. The Jainas have divided time i.e. the Kalacakra into two main parts known as 'Utsarpini' and 'Avasarpini'. Each of these is divided into six aras', corresponding to the spokes of a wheel. The first Tirthankara, Lord Rsabhadeva taught to the then living humanity the three Rs. i. e. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic besides 'Brahmi' and other 'lipis' to the human world. Thus the seeds of culture and civilization were sown for the future generations of the humanity.
Jainism is a very old religion accoding to the Jainas. Lord Mahavira was a historical being, so also Lord Parsva and Lord Neminatha, the 22nd Tirthankara of the Jainas. Lord Neminatha is said to be related to and contemporary of Lord Krisna Vasudeva of the Hindus. Taking Lord Rsabhadeva as the first Tirthankara and the time that has lapsed between these Tirthankaras as is given in the Sacred literature of the Jainas. Jainism enjoys a hoary antiquity. There is reference to Jainism and its Tirthankara in the Bhagavata Purana of the Hindus. Not quarreling over its antiquity, we can safely surmise that the sacred land of Bharata is sanctified and purified by the trinity of three rivers in the form of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. These three great religions of India have gone a long way in
bringing about a cultural synthesis and have established and developed and shaped Indian Culture and Civilization The cultural, social, economic and educational under-currents of these three streams have so undistinguishable merged with one another that it is next to impossible to pin point one or many things that has been solely contributed by one current only. The unision of these under currents is indivisible. Each one ultimately aim at 'moksa', absolution or Nirvana. Call it by any name it aims at the same goal.
The pristine purity and spiritual attainment of Jainism is indisputable. Right up from the early records of ancient history and antiquity the glorious might and contribution of Jainism is beyond dispute. Jainism and therein can be included Jain monks, religious pontifs, lay-men and women too who have added to preserve and sustain Indian Culture. The first Tirthankara, Lord Rsabhadeva taught his subjects cooking, building, construction, reading, writing etc. which enabled them to lead a happy social life. Kings like Kumarapala and Kharvel made Jainism a state religion. Personalities like Siddharaja patronised Jainism and gave impetus to literature, art, sculpture, painting, music etc. Even the muslim monarch Akbar listened to Jain pontifs and encouraged Jainism in developing Indian culture. Jain Saints like Haribhadra Suri and Kalikala Sarvajna Hemachandra arya are too well-known for their literary accomplishments. Such Jain monks have tried their deft hand on each and every genere of literature. Jains have written Mahakavyas,
V. N. S. 2503
Jain Education Intemational
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| SR No. | 012039 |
| Book Title | Rajendrasuri Janma Sardh Shatabdi Granth |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Premsinh Rathod |
| Publisher | Rajendrasuri Jain Navyuvak Parishad Mohankheda |
| Publication Year | 1977 |
| Total Pages | 638 |
| Language | Hindi, Gujrati, English |
| Classification | Smruti_Granth & Articles |
| File Size | 38 MB |