Compendium of Jainism

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

Page 41

THE TIRTHANKARAS AND LORD MAHAVIRA
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people how to grow sugarcane, his lineage came to be known as Ikşvāku-vamśa. He taught people the art of domesticating animals and the use of bulls for cultivation of lands. He laid down and followed the path of Ahimsā and Truth. He organized the society into three occupational groups : agriculturists, traders and soldiers. The last group consisted of only able bodied inen who could defend the country and maintain order in society. He ruled over his kingdom for several years. He had many sons, but of them, Bharata and Bāhubali are quite well-known. He led a life of great piety and purity.
“As a matter of fact, Lord Rsabha laid the foundation of civic life and taught men how to co-operate with one another for mutual benefit. He taught 72 arts to men and 64 fine arts to women which included writing, painting, music etc. But the most important of his worldly teaching was the cultivation of grains and manufacturing of pots. As such, Prof. Lothar Wendel is right to call him the Father of agriculture and culture the greatest achievement of which was the recognition of soul, the basic fundamental for the sanctity of all life and for the manifestation of Ahimsā”.
The details of his life as given in the Mahāpurāņa and Padmapurāņa of the Jainas are corroborated by the Hindu Purāņas like the Bhāgayata and Sivapurāņa. When Rşabha was ruling his kingdom making the lives of his subjects happy and purposeful, an event of great significance occurred. While he was sitting one day in his Darbār, a dancer by name Nilāmjanā was brought there to dance. She began ber dance to the accompaniment of music and when she had reached the climax of her graceful art, she suddenly collapsed and breathed her last. This incident was sufficient to convince him about the uncertainty and fleeting character of life. He decided to renounce the world.
Rsabha crowned his eldest son Bharata as his successor. He distributed his kingdom amongst his sons including Bābubali. It is due to the memorable reign of Bharata that India acquired