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Khāravela and the Jaina Tradition non-violence. Alekha bhajana or Śūnya Upāsanā or meditation on the void or non-entity is core of this religion. The saints of this faith wear a bark garment known as Kumbhipața after the name of the tree called Kumbhi. The monks usually lead the life of Parivrājaka and wherver they go they do not remain there for more than a night. The avadhūtas, as they are called, live a rigorous way of life without inflicting pain on others. The shrine of this religious sect is at Joranda in the Dhenkanal district. The Visnugarbhapurāņa of Caitanya Das and Stuti Cintāmaņi of Bhima bhoi are the two immortal poems which preach this religion. The teachings of Rsabhadeva find mention in the Vişnugarbhapurāņa.
The doctrine of non-violence and doing good to others even at the risk of one's own self which are the very essence of Jainism, are nicely portrayed in popular folk literature of Orissa. The ideal of Jaina asceticisin find its echo in popular poern like Țikā Govindacandra etc.
The sacred memory of Pārsvanātha is alive among the people of Orissa and the caves of Khaņdagiri stand witness to his religious preaching. Jainism which was at the apex of glory in Orissa during the reign of Khāra vela remained as such till the fifth century A. D. when the tantricism in Jainism rose its head to compete with that of the Buddhists. This trend remained until the rise of Vaisnavism in the tenth century A. D.
Last but not the least, Lord Jagannātha of Purs and the Jagannātha cult which have been dominating the entire culture and literature of Orissa through centuries are said to be originated from Jainism. Lord Jagannātha is regarded as Rşabhadeva and the word nātha associated with His name has a close likeness with the names of the Jidas suffixed by nātha or deva. The Jagannātha cult in Orissa is believed to have its origin from early Vedic period, thus finding a coincidence with the origin of Jainism about the same period. The famous car festival of Lord Jagannātha is a reminiscence of the Caitya Yatrā of Jainas. The Kalpa Vața (fig tree believed to be wish-fulfilling), Cakra kşetra, the twentyfour steps to the Puri temple symbolising the twentyfour Jaina Tirthankaras are all associated with Jainism. Indrabhūti in his Jñānasiddhi' offers his salutation to Lord Jagannātha by calling Him both Jina and Buddha and resembling the sky (Sūnya).
pranipatya Jagannāthem sarvajinavarárcitam/ sarvabuddhamayam siddhivyāpinam gaganopamain/
परिसंवाद-४
6.
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