ABC of Jainism

Author(s): S L Jain
Publisher: Maitree Samooh

Page 20

CHAPTER 9 TIRTHANKAR RISHAVDEVA AND MAHAVIR This is the idol of the first Jain Tirthankar Rishavdeva and last Tirthankar Bhagwan Mahavir. Rishavdeva was born in Ayodhya. His father was king Nabhiraya and mother Marudevi. He was first to teach with harmless methods the art of agriculture, trade & industry, study of different kinds of are, science & technology. Therefore he is known as "Prajapati" (Lord of all persons). After performing penance, he got salvation from mount Kailash. Our country is known as "Bharat Varsh" after his son Chakravarti Bharat. Attractive and magnificent idol of his second son Bahubali at Shravanbelogla is world famous in the name of Gomateshwar Bahubali. Bhagwan Mahavir was born in Kundgram. His father was king Siddharth and mother Trishla. He was not married. He performed penance after giving up the majestic grandeur; he attained self- knowledge and preached for welfare of all. He attained salvation form Pavapuri. We celebrate his salvation in the forma of Dipavali festival. "there is evidence to show that so far back as the first century B.C. there were people who were worshipping Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara. There is no doubt that Jainism prevailed even before Vardhmana or Parsvanath. The Yajurveda mentions the names of three Tirthankars Rishabha, Ajitnath and Aristanemi. The Bhagavata Puran endorses the view that Rishabha was the founder of Jainism".