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The Identity
of Rsabha and Siva
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SADHVI MANJULA
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The Jainas revere Rsabhadeva as the founder of their faith, the first originator and omniscient. In Vedic literature he has been eulogized as Rudra, Siva, Kesi, Indra, Jatavedasa, etc.
In the introduction to the Rgveda Rudral is referred to as representing Agni or Indra. The Pauranic and modern conceptions of Siva are said to have been evolved from this Vedic Rudra. The Jainas also refer to Rsabha as Siva and the path of liberation founded by him as the Path of Siva.
In the Hymn to Rudra, he has been addressed as omniscient Brsabha and it has been said, 'Oh ye, the holy, effulgent, omniscient Brsabha, bless us thus so that we may never be destroyed.
Brsabha? is the same person who has been addressed as Agni. Because, in Vedic hymns, adjectives deployed on Agni clearly indicate that he is not fire as ordinarily understood, but the first originator Rsabhadeva. Maruts worship Agni by the name of Rudra. Rudra, Sarva,
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