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Jainism in a Global Perspective
Aristanemi as one of the six Tīrthankaras mentioned there. The Buddhist book Manoratha-purani mentions the names of many laymen and women as followers of the Pårśvanātha tradition and among them is the name of Vappa, the uncle of Gautama Buddha. In fact, it is mentioned in the Buddhist literature that Gautama Buddha himself practised penance according to the Jaina way before he propounded his new religion.
6. Jania Tradition and Hinduism
The Jaina tradition of 24 Tīrthankaras seems to have been accepted by the Hindus like the Buddhists, as could be seen from their ancient scriptures. The Hindus, indeed, never disputed the fact that Jainism was founded by Rşabhadeva and placed his time almost at what they conceived to the commencement of the world. They acknowledged him as a divine person. They gave the same parentage (father Nābhirāja and mother Marudevi) of Rsabhadeva as the Jainas do and they even agree that after the name of Rşabhadeva's eldest son Bharata, this country is known as Bhārata Varșa.
In connection with the question of derivation of the name Bhārata Varsa, it is pertinent to note that as many as three Bharatas had been prominent in ancient India. In Rāmāyana, there is one Prince Bharata, the younger brother of famous king Rāmacandra, but considering his limited role, it is nowhere mentioned that after him, this country is known as Bhārat Varsa. Similarly, another Prince Bharata, the son of king Duşyanta from Sakuntalā, is known mainly from the most popular drama Abhijñana Sākuntalar written by the celebrated poet Kālidāsa. But as there have been very few references in ancient Indian literature relating to outstanding military and other achievements of this Bharata, it cannot be maintained that this country's name Bhārat Varșa is derived from him. On the contrary the well-known prince Bharata, the eldest son of the first Jaina Tīrthankara Lord Rşabhadeva is most famous as Cakravarti, i.e. Emperor Bharata, due to his great military exploits of bringing all kingdoms in India under his rule, and that is why, India is named Bhārata Varşa after him. This fact is amply bome out by Bhāgavata, Mārkandeya, Vāyu, Brahmānda, Skanda, Vişnu and other Hindu Purāņas. For example, in the Skanda-purāņa (Chapter 37), it is specifically stated :
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