Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 19

12: An Introduction to Jaina Sādhanā
ancient Jaina canon as well as in the pillar-edicts of Aśoka also the religion of Lord Pārśva and the Mahāvira is mentioned in the name of Nirgrantha-dharma. Historicity of Lord Pārsva, the 23rd Tirthankara, is now well established and accepted by all the scholars. According to Jaina tradition the predecessor of Lord Pārsva was Aristanemi. He was the real cousin of Lord Krsna. The Historicity of Aristanemi could also be established on the basis of the historicity of Lord Krsna. If we belive that Lord Krsna was a historic person, then we may also believe that the Aristanemi was also a historic person. We find his name not only in Vedas but in Upanişadas and Hindū Purāṇas also. Some scholars presented an inscriptional evidence to prove the historicity of Aristanemi (Neminātha). Dr. Prannath published in 'Times of India' ( dated 19th March 1935 ) a Copper-plate grant of the Babylonian King Nebuchandnazzar ( 1140 B.C. ) found at Prabhāsapattan in Gujrat. According to his reading this King having come to Mount Revata to pay homage to Lord Neminātha. Though his reading was not accepted by all the scholars, yet we cannot reject it as totally false, there are certain proofs in his reading. Lord Nami of Mithilā is also accepted as a Rşi in Upanişadic and Hindū Paurāņic tradition. So far as historicity of Lord Rşabha is concerned, it is well established fact that not only his name but his life-story and teachings also occur in Bhāgavat and some other Puranas. According to Prof. Dalasukha Malavaniya, one of the well-read scholar of Buddhist canon, name of some Jaina Tirtharkaras such as Rşabha, Padma, Candraprabha, Puspadanta, Vimala, Dharma, Nami, Aristanemi and Mahāvira also occur in Buddhist literature in the form of previous Buddhas, Bodhisattvas or Pratyekabuddhas. Thus, it can be said with a degree of certainty that all the Jaina Tirthankaras are not legendary characters. Though it may be true that some legendary characteristics have been crept