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An Introduction to Jain Philosophy
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the last. All the Tirthankaras, except Pārsvanātha and Mahavira are described as superhuman. As it is believed their birth places, families, symbols, birth all happened millions years ago, the have had their heights in thousands of cubits, lives extending over thousands of years. They all (except Vāsupūjya, Neminātha and Mahāvira) died on the Pārsvanātha Hill, popularly called Parsnath Hill in Bihar. Modern scholars are of the view that all of them except Pārsvanātha and Mahavira are mythical.
The religion preached by the Tīrthankaras is known as the religion of the Srāmaņas or of the Nirgranthas, currently called Jainism. Jainism is purely a religion concerning the soul. For the spiritual development of beings having different kinds of nature, different step are shown in this system. In this article there is not enough space even to describe their names. Therefore important things are described briefly and in easy language.
Mahavir was born as a prince of Kundagrama, a suburb of Vaishali in Bihar, India. He was born on the thirteenth day of rising moon of Chaitra month, 599 B.C. His Parents name was king Siddhartha and queen Trśalā. Siddhārtha was the king of Kshatriyakunnd. According to Swetambar's literature he had two children other than Mahavira-Nandivardhan, the eldest son and Sudarshsna, a younger daughter. On the other hand we find no mention of them in the Digambar's Literature. Siddhartha belonged Kashyapa family Line (gotra) and his wife Trśalā Devi a member of the Vaśiştha gotra. Siddhartha was resolute, brave and an expert swordman, but also a great worshipper of non-violence and truth. Accomplished both in virtue and deeds of arms, Siddhartha firmly believed in the world of Lord Pārsvanātha. Lord Pārśvanātha was the twenty third Tīrthankara of Jain Religion.
Mahavira was known by three name-1. Vardhamana, 2. Mahavira and 3. Śramaņa. His parents fixed his name as Vardhamana or *Prosperous One', because with his birth the wealth, fame and merit of family increased. The gods gave him the name of Mahavira for his fortitude and hardihood in patiently bearing all sorts of
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| SR No. | 012064 |
| Book Title | Prakrit Jainshastra aur Ahimsa Shodh Samsthan Vaishali Swarna Jayanti Gaurav Granth |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Rushabhchand Jain |
| Publisher | Prakrit Jainshastra aur Ahimsa Shodh Samsthan Vaishali |
| Publication Year | 2010 |
| Total Pages | 520 |
| Language | Hindi, English |
| Classification | Smruti_Granth & Articles |
| File Size | 13 MB |