Jain Journal 1968 01

SR No.: 520009
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

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JAIN JOURNAL
of Magha the festival of Sivarātri is held. Thus it has been recorded in the Išāna Samhitā :
māghaksşnacaturdaśyāmādideva mahānisī sivalingatapodbhutah kotisūryasamah prabhah tatkālavyāpini grāhyā śivarātribate tithih On the fourteenth day of the dark half of the moon in the month of Magha at the great night the first Originator emanates from tapas in the form of the phallus of Siva with a radiance of million suns. From thence is celebrated the festival of Sivarātri on that
night. On the other hand Rsabha after attaining kevala-knowledge on the Mount of Astapada (Kailasa) addressing the assembly embraced yoga and after destroying all kinds of karma attained Sivatva on the fourteenth night of the dark half of the moon in the month of Magha. In Āvaśyaka Niryukti18 where the places of nirvāna of all Tirthankaras have been deliniated it has been stated that Rsabha attained kevala-knowledge and entered nirvāṇa on the Mt. Astapada.
In the Vedic tradition Siva is the holder of the trident. Images of Siva with trident are also found. In Jaina tradition also the images of the Arhats are marked with trident representing triratna (Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct). Virasena in his Dhavalā Tīkā has adored the Arhats as the holders of the trident.
On some of the seals of the Indus Valley are depicted yogins who are naked, have trident on their heads and are standing in kāyotsarga posture. On some of the images are found the emblem of the bull. Now both these types may be said are related with the great yogi Brasabhadeva. Some figures have hood of the serpent on their head. Probably these are of the seventh Tirthankara Suparsva, who was in the line of Rsabha.
History of the Brahmi Script also points out that Siva and Rsabha are the same person. It has been recorded in the Mahāpurāņa that Rsabha taught his sons headed by Bharata all arts, his daughter Brahmi the art of writing and his another daughter Sundari mathematics.
According to the Āvašyaka Niryukti Rsabha taught Brahmi the art of writing by right hand and Sundari mathematics by his left. So even this day reading starts from the beginning and counting from the end.
The oldest alphabet of India is Brahmi, the off-shoots of which are mostly prevalent today. This alphabet was taught by the Lord to his duaghter Brahmi. Probably that is why it is called Brahmi alphabet.