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ज्ञाताधर्मकथांग सूत्र
Jambu Swami-The successor of Sudharma Swami as the head of the religious order established by Bhagavan Mahavir was Jambu Swami. He was born in a merchant family of Rajagriha in the year of the nirvana of Bhagavan Mahavir. When he was sixteen year old he became detached after listening to a discourse of Sudharma Swami. Due to intense pressure from his parents although he married but during the first night he gave a spiritual discourse to his eight wives. A notorious thief, Prabhav, who had entered Jambu's house, also happened to listen to this discourse. This thief also got detached, and the next morning when Jambu got initiated into the order by Sudharma Swami, Prabhav and his fellow thieves, all including 527 persons, joined him and became ascetics. For twelve years Jambu thoroughly studied all the canons under the tutelage of Sudharma Swami. After Sudharma Swami became omniscient Jambu succeeded him as the head of the order. Jambu became omniscient in 20 A.N.M. and got nirvana in 64 A.N.M. (462 B.C.). Jambu Swami is believed to be the last omniscient of this cycle of time.
Chaitya-A monument constructed at the place of cremation. As mentioned in Aupapatik Sutra the area of a Chaitya was used for practice, experimentation, and demonstration of various performing arts like acrobatics, dance, etc. besides the religious rituals like Yajna, fire-offerings, etc. Some commentators have also termed it as Vyantarayatan or abode of lesser gods. In modern context Chaitya is not a term denoting a specific building, it denotes a comparatively larger area having temple, place of stay for ascetics, and other such constructions and facilities within it; in other words a religious complex.
Rajagriha--An important place of pilgrimage for Jains and Buddhists where Bhagavan Mahavir and the Buddha spent numerous monsoon-stays. According to the Jain scriptures there occurred more than 200 Samavasarans (religious assembly) of Bhagavan Mahavir in Rajagriha. He usually stayed in Gunasheel, Mandikuccha, and Mudgarpani gardens. According to the Mahabharat it was the capital city of Magadh during the reign of Jarasandh. There are five hills around this picturesque city. There names are in Jain tradition—Vaibhar, Vipul, Udaya, Suvarna, and Ratnagiri; in Vayupurana (a Vedic scripture)-Vaibhar, Vipul, Ratnakoot, Girivraj, and Ratnachal; and in the Mahabharat-Vaihar, Varaha, Vrishabh, Rishigiri, and Chaityak. Because of this proximity with so many hills Rajagriha was also known as Girivraj (cluster of hills). There is a mention in the Avachurni (philological commentary) of the Avashyakaniryukti that in the remote past a town named Kshitipratishthita existed here. When it was ravaged by time king Jitshatru founded another town named Chanakpur in the same area. Passing centuries saw Rishabhpur and Kushagrapur at that place. Lastly king Prasenjit (father of Shrenik) founded Rajagriha. Mention of the famous hot-springs of this town can be found in the travelogues of the famous Chinese travelers Fahyan and Huentsang besides the Jain and Buddhist literature. Today this town is known as Rajgiri. The remains of the famous Nalanda Institute stand a few kilometers north-east of this place.
Magadh-The Kikat country of the Rigveda. In the Atharvaveda it is mentioned as Magadh. In the Pannavana Sutra (a Jain scripture) Magadh comes first in the list of Arya countries. This area was among the most prosperous during the ancient times. The political and cultural activities of this area influenced the whole country in those
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JNĀTĀ DHARMA KATHĂNGA SŪTRA
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