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Jainism: The Oldest Religion
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appear to be the representation of Rşabhadeva, the 1st Jaina Tirthankara, because of the fact that among the Jainas, there is an established practice of depicting the lāñchana, i.e. the emblem of each Tìthankara below his idol and that the
emblem of Rsabhadeva is a bull. v. In addition, the sacred signs of svastika are found engraved on
a number of seals. It is pertinent to note that the svastika signs engraved on seal nos. 502, 503 and 514 exactly resemble the established Jaina and Hindu practices of drawing svastika
signs. vi. Furthermore, there some motifs on the seals found in
Mohenjodaro and it is suggested that these motifs are identical
with those found in the ancient Jaina art of Mathura.
From these archaeological evidences, it can be stated that there was prevalence of worship of Jaina Tirthankara Rşabhadeva along with the worship of the Hindu God who is considered to be the prototype of Lord Śiva in the Indus Valley Civilization. This presence of Jaina tradition in the earliest period of Indian history is supported by many scholars like Dr. Radha Kumud Mookerji, Gustav Roth, Prof. A. Chakravarti, Prof. Ram Prasad Chanda, T.N. Ramchandran, I. Mahadevan, Kamata Prasad Jaina and others. Recently, the reputed scholar-saint Ācārya Vidyānandaji, form his detailed research studies of seals and other relics of archaeological importance from the excavations carried our at Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley, has conclusively brought out various facts which prove the prevalence of Jaina religion at least 5000 years ago in India.
As a result, Jainism is now recognized as one of the oldest religions of the world.
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