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3.The Arhatas
They were called Arhatas /Arhantas (worthy of Worship) because they were lived virtuous life. Several authors contend that during the time when Vedas were taking shape, a number of elements, which had subsequently entered in Jain religion, were already known. This is confirmed by the fact that monks are called arahans or arahatas in Rigveda and Atharva Veda.
4.The Vatarshana Munis
Rishabhadeva has been described as the incarnation of Vishnu for the establishment of the religion of Vatarashana Munis. “These Munis appeared pisanga (Pingalavarna) because they were indifferent to bathing, even though they were Maladhari that is unclean, due to sweat etc. They used to remain silent and looked wild owing to their meditative practices. By controlling breathing (by means of pranayama) they used to attain to godhood. The mortal world could only see their external bodies, not their inner soul”:
