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commanders, and treasurers. They conquered large areas and won many wars with their valour and acumen for strategy. Although they had indomitable prowess and political power, not a single one of them transgressed non-Jain religious places or transformed them into Jain temples. They did not abandon their inherent liberality and religious tolerance under the influence of political power. Not a single instance can be found in the history of this country when a Jain has become a traitor and harmed the nation conspiring with some foreign power. In fact, whenever the country has faced any calamity or been attacked by invaders, Jains have active participated in tackling the problem or confronting the invader with all the wealth and resources at their command.
Jains have accepted the whole subcontinent as their nation. They have not offered their devotion just to some specific part of the country. They have accepted the whole country as one nation and expressed their loyalty. Bhagavāna Rşabhadeva was born in Ayodhya, did his spiritual practices on mount Kailasa, and then wandered throughout India. Bhagavāna Neminātha was born in Sauripura (near Agra). He was initiated and got nirvana on Giranāra hills. Bhagavāna Pārsvanātha was born in Varanasi and gave his sermons in Anga, Banga, Kalinga, Kāśī, Kausala, and other parts of the country and attained nirvana at Sammeda śikhara. Bhagavāna Mahāvīra was born in Kundagrāma (Vaiśālī, Bihar) and he moved around for spread of his religion in Anga, Banga, Kalinga, Magadha, Mathura, and far away Karnataka and Maharastra.
Śrutakevali Bhadrabāhu was born in Tāmralipti (Bengal). In his promotional tour for religion he came to Ujjayini. Through his knowledge of augury he realized that a grave drought lasting twelve years is imminent. He at once initiated his humble disciple Candragupta, the Mauryan emperor, as an ascetic and left for south India with his 12,000 unclad ascetic disciples. On reaching Sravanbelgolā he sent all his disciples to various states in south india for spread of religion. Out of these, 8000 went to Tamil State and the rest in other states including Karnataka.
As there have been great Jain ācāryas in northern India, the southern parts of the country have also seen many famous Jain ācāryas.
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