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AN EPITOME OF JAINISM prominent place in the Empire owing to their wealth, intelligence, commercial energy and unswerving loyalty.
The Arihanta is the killer of the enemies. He is also called the Jina or the Victor for killing or conquering all his passions, desires and appetites. A Fina is the possessor of perfect knowledge. He is omniscient and is the revealer of true nature of things. The Jinas or the Victors, who in every age (past, present, and future) preach truths and organise the Order, are known by the name of Tirthankars-the Founders of Tirtha, Sangha, or the Order which consists of Sadhu, Sadhvi and Shravaka, Shravika i. e. male and female ascetics and devotees.
The Jain friars and nuns were formerly designated as Nigganthas, lit. 'those who are freed from all bonds.' These Nigganthas are frequently met with in ancient Buddhist works. For instance, the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, one of the earliest books on Buddhism, composed in Pali before the 5th century B.C: mentions "Niggantha Fnatputta" as being one of the six religious teachers of the time. This last Tirthankara of the Jains is so called
