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and amongst which two communities--Nirgrantha (Jaina) and Bauddha are flourishing to-day.
There is found mention of Brahmana and Sramana sects in all old Indian literatures--Vedic, Buddhist and Jaina, and inscriptions 36 also. The Nirgrantha (rather Jaina) and Bauddha monks are called Sramanas even at present time. The religious preceptors of the Vedic tradition are called Rsis (sages), whose account is come across again and again in the Rgveda. But the designation of the monks of Sramanic tradition was Muni whose mention is found in the Rgveda and the Nyāyamañjari, but not elsewhere. The acceptance of both the sects Brahmana and Sramana should be understood by the words “Rsi" and “Muni" respectively. Later on, there took place a mutual intercourse of these two sects and both the words have often been accepted as synonym of each other. 37
So it will be proper to accept the existence of Nirgrantha Dharma in old form in 1500 B.C. on the basis of the study of the evidences of the Rgveda, the Bhāgavata Purāna and the Nyayamañjari regarding Vātarasana Munis and Kesi-Rsabha.
96 Asokan Rock Edict, Third Girnar Version, 4th R. E., G. V.-brahmana-samananam
sadhu. 37 Bharatiya Samskrti-men Jainadharma-ka Yogadan, p. 18.
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