Jain Journal 1992 04

SR No.: 520106
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 70
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 67

Jainism and Nepal
H. C. Golchba
According to Jaina literature, Jaina religion was known as Arhat Dharma in ages past. The founder of Arhat Dharma was the first Tirthankara Bhagavān Rşabha Deva. Lord Rşabha Deva is also known as the propounder of human civilization and according to Srimad Bhāgvata he is considered as the eighth incarnation among the twenty four incarnations of Vişnu. It is noteworthy, that Jainas do not believe in God's Incarnation.
As per the old scriptures, the name of India as Bharata Varşa has been derived from the name of the Emperor Bharata, the eldest son of Rsabha Deva. According to fifth skandha of Srimad Bhāgavata, Bharata performed the penance in Pulhasrama on the banks of the holy river Kali Gandaki in the Harihara Kşetra of Nepal. The world famous collosus of his younger brother Bahubali known as 'Gommatesvara' is at Sravaņa Belagola in Karnataka State of India.
In the series of 24 Tirthařkaras, the nineteenth Tirthankara Bhagavån Mallinātha was born at Mithilă puri in Nepal. The twentyfirst in the Tirthařkara series, Bhagavān Naminātha was also believed to have been born at the same Mithiläpuri sometime around Dväpara yuga.
The mention of the twentythird Tirthankara Bhagavan Parsvanatha is found in all books of ancient histories. The 24th and last Tirthankara Bhagavān Mahavira was born only few years before Bhagavāna Gautama Budhha, and propounded the religion of pañcayāma or five mahāyratas inclusive of the four-fold tenets of Pārsvanatha. The modern form of Jaina religion is attributed to Lord Mahavira.
Many historians say that the birth of Lord Mahavira took place at a place known as Vaiśāli near Muzaffarpur (Bihar) not very far from the present boundaries of Nepal. In tho Jaina scriptures, it is stated