Antiquity or Jainism and tirthankara mahavir

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Jayantsensuri_Abhinandan_Granth_012046.pdf

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who ruled over the Northern India and the Asurasor Continuance of involution, 3) Vivatta-kappa or aeon centered in Southern India (Mahabharata, 225.37). The of evolution, and 4) Vivatta-tthāyi or continuance or Sāntiparva of the Mahabharata speaks of the spritualism evolution. The material world consists of an infinity of of the Asuras who were the followers of Sramanaworld-systems (chakkavālas). During Asamkheyyaideology (227.13).
kappas, the world-system has been completely disturbed
and then resolved. The Brahmas are reborn on the earth. The Asuras, Vratyas, Yatis and Munis were also called Brahmacharis who used to control over sexual
The earth became separated in due course from water, passions and followed Sramanology Atharvaveda, X1.5).
bodies became grass and solid and gradually the
evolution of world came into existance. Each They were also worshiper of nude figures which were
Asamkheyaya kappa is sub-divided into twenty not recognised by the Vedic Risis. Rigvedi Risis very clearly prayed "Let not Sisnadevah enter our sacrificial
Antarakappas, and each antarakappa is sub-divided into Pandala (RV. 7.21.5).
eight yugas or ages. These references compel us to be of view that the
The God in Jainism and Buddhism is neither a Sramana system was prevelent during the Vedic period.
creater and destructer nor a meditator from bestowing The Vedic Aryas were their opponent and therefore their
our result of past actions. A personal God has no place antiquity goes definitely back to Indus civilization and
in both these traditions. They deny the principles of even earlier to that it was in existence. The cult of Rudra
reward, judgement, incarnation and forgiveness. The
creation of universe depends on the nature and our or Shiva may be closely associated with the Sramana
efforts (Nimitta and Upadana.) One will have to bear the culture led by Jainas. This fact can be understood through peeping into the history of Jainism and Buddhism and
result of his own deeds. They cannot be extinguished their traditions in connection with creation of universe
simply by the mercy of God or the socalled God. Jainism
of course believes in Godhood, the parmatman stage of and conception of soul and god.
soul and in innumerable Gods. Karma stands to CREATION OF UNIVERSE
reincarnate the soul as cause to effect. It can be purged An antiquity of Jainism is co-related with the creation through following the Trinity, Right Faith, Right of universe and its tradition. According to Vedic Knowledge, and Right Conduct. Thus the universe in mythology, Brahma, Visnu and Mahesa are responsible
'Sramana cultural system is said to be an eternal for Creation, Preservation and Destruction of the Universe beginningless, endless and infinite. respectively. The universe is divided into four great
Jainism is said to be a primitive religion which epoches respectively called Satyuga, Tretāyuga,
believes that all the particles of earth, water, fire, wind Dvāparayuga and Kaliyuga. It is collectively called
and plants are possessed of life. The universe is eternal Mahāyuga which is equal to 4,320,00 years. A Kalpa is
and indestructible, not created by Brahma or the socalled equal to 1000 Mahāyugas or 4,320,000,000 years 14
God. The theory of atoms, six Dravyas and the Manus in each Kalpakāla are born in intervals of 71
worshipping of nudity form compel us to recognise its! Mahāyugas. The Purānas say that the Brahma creats traditional views which indicate the Pre-historic period the universe at the beginning of a day and the universe
and the cultural evolution of the creation. is submerged into water during the night. The disappearance of the universe is thus called Naimittika
AGES OF UNIVERSE Pralaya.
According to Jain tradition, the universe and its The Old Testament also supports the view that the
creation are eternal and infinite. It can be divided into whole world was submerged under water. When the
two parts (Kalpas), viz. Avasarpini or descending era
subdivided into six ages, viz. Susamā-suşamā, ii) susama flood subsided, all the surviving creatures spread themselves all over the world and multiplied. Thus the
ill) susama-duşama, iv) duşamā-susama, v) dusamā and new creation started again. This happens 15 times during
vi) duşamā-duşamā. 2) Utsarpini or ascending era
subdivided into six having the same names in reverse one Kalpa, where-as according to Jain tradition it is only once at the end of the 4th epoch and that too partially.
order. In the Avasarpiņi era people attain all the pleasure
and happiness at the starting point which reduce According to Buddhism, the beginning of universe
gradually upto the last era. The Utsarpini era commenses is incalculable or imperceptible (Samyuttanikāya, ii. 178).
with utmost sorrowful condition and ends with most The whole world system is grasped through the Kalpas. pleasant age. The first three of the Avasarpini era and Each Kalpa is subdivided into four periods, 1) the last three of the Utsarpini era are collectively called Samvattakappa or aeon of involution, 2) Samvatta-tthayi
the Bhogbhūmi (happy and contented) where the people
SHRIMAD JAYANTSENSURI ABHINANDAN GRANTH/ENGLISH SECTION
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