Compendium of Jainism

Author(s): T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar

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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
Vidyā and that is why he came to the known as the 8th Avatāra. He was born to Marudevi, the queen of the Indian king Nābhiraja and is mentioned in the Bhāgavata as the 8th of the 22 Avatāras.37 Vinoba Bhave, the Sarvodaya Leader has opined “Mabāvira Svāmi is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara. The birth of the Jaina Faith has taken place thousands of years before him. In the prayer of the Bhagavān (Lord) in the Rgveda it is said in one place “Arhan idam daya se viśvam abhayam”, that is 'oh Arhan, you show compassion over this insignificant world', In this, the two words : Arhan and Daya are dear to the Jainas. I am in agreement that perhaps the Jaina religion is as ancient as the Hindu religion.”32 Prof. G. Satyanarayan Murti is more specific in his views : "Jainism seems to be an indigenous product of ancient schools of thought. Whatever the European scholars of fame have said to the contrary, it is to be noted that Jainism with all the glory of its Dharma and plenitude of its literature, both secular and religious, has been handed down from a hoary antiquity. Jainism has a history of its own, a history on most of the obscure parts of which fresh light is being thrown almost every year owing to the patient researches of many scholars, both in India and abroad. The sources of the history of Jainism are now many and they have themselves, curiously enough a history of their own..."33 My own belief is that Jainism was the religion of the Dravidian people who were pre-Aryan inhabitants of India. 10
What the Jurists Say ?
I cannot better conclude this topic than by quoting the conclusion reached by Jurists on the subject. Sir C. V. Kumarswami Sastriar, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court expressed the view : “.....modern research has shown that Jainas are not Hindu dissenters but that Jainism bas an origin and history long anterior to the Smrtis and commentaries which are recognised authorities on Hindu Law and usage. In fact, Mahāvira, the last of Jaina Thirthankars, was a