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There are numerous ancient evidences of his historicity and now modern historians and scholars have also accepted that completely.
In Vedas, Mahabharat, Puranas and many other Vedic works panegyrics of Arishtanemi are found along with instances of making offerings to him in yajnas.
Jain scriptures have, of course, described Tirthankar Arishtanemi in details. The 20 . of the 45 Pratyekbuddhas mentioned in Rishibhashit are from the period of influence of Bhagavan Arishtanemi.
In the first five sections of this Antakriddasha Sutra are included 51 Antakrit Kevalis belonging to the period of influence of Bhagavan Arishtanemi. This Sutra also contains a detailed description of Shrikrishna, the grandeur of his empire and the expanse and beauty of Dvarka.
Former president of India and a famous philosopher, late Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan has accepted that in Yajurveda mentions of Adinath. Ajitnath and Arishtanemi are found.
Col. Todd has expressed his views about Arishtanemi in the Annals of Bhandurkar Research Institute (Vol. 23, Page 128) in these words---"It appears to me that in ancient times there lived four great enlightened individuals. Of them one was Adinath and the second Neminath (Arishtanemi). This Neminath was also the primary deity 'Odin' of the Scandinavians and also the principal deity ‘Fo' of the Chinese."
Famous lexicographer Nagendranath Basu, archaeologists Dr. Fueler, Prof. Buent, Mr. Karva, Dr. Haridatt, Dr. Pran Nath Vidyalankar and many other renowned scholars are of the opinion that Bhagavan Arishtanemi was a great and towering epoch-maker. Their remains no doubt about his historicity.
Now the archaeological remains of Dvarka, submerged in the Arabian sea have also been discovered. Therefore any remaining doubts about his historicity have also been removed
The Qualities of Bhagavan Arishtanemi
Bhagavan Arishtaneri was a spiritualist, a Tirthankar. His only goals were purification of soul, freedom from bondage and showing the path of liberation. He liked to refrain from indulging in activities and attitudes that strengthened the bondage of karma. He himself was detached from this world and worldly pleasures. His only desire was that all human beings become non-violent and avoid habits like intoxication.
On being strongly persuaded by Shrikrishna and his queens, he went to Junagarh for marriage. When he saw numerous animals cordoned in large yards, he was filled with compassion and turned back to become an ascetic.
This step of Arishtanemi was a non-violent protest against killing of animals and non-vegetarianism. It was highly successful. Even today Gujarat and Saurashtra areas are predominantly vegetarian.
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Antakriddasha Mahima
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