Jain Journal 1974 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 12

JULY, 1974
and we come to the sixth kala again, and then to the fifth, etc. Mahavira practically marks the end of the fourth Kala and we are now living in the fifth. Time goes on in this manner like the swing of a pendulum.
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Fantastic as this claim of the Jainas may appear to be, it receives full support from the earliest Hindu scholar who made any mention of Jaina history, namely the author of Srimad Bhagavata. This is a postBuddhistic work and it gives a list of 24 Avatāras or incarnations of Visnu, of whom Rsabha is the eighth. He is mentioned as the founder of Jainism. He depended for his salvation entirely on meditation and attached no importance to physical performances or ritual of any kind. Elsewhere in the same work his son, Jinadeva, is mentioned as the real founder but he modelled the system on the line of his illustrious father. The identity of the two Rsabhas is unquestionable. Curiously enough, Srimad Bhagavata makes no mention, of Mahavira whereas in the case of Buddhism, Buddha alone is mentioned as the founder. Sumatinatha the fifth Tirthankara of the Jainas is mentioned as the propagator of Jainism. The names of some other Tirthankaras also appear in the book, but their identity cannot be established for want of detail as to parentage, etc.
Although according to Srimad Bhagavata the Vedas were actually taught by one of the Avataras who appeared before Rsabhadeva, it is known to Vedic scholars that the oldest verses in the Vedas make no mention of ritual. The Hymns were addressed to the Supreme Being without the accompaniment of ritual which is of later growth. Jaina tradition also ascribes ritual, specially, animal sacrifice to a later period than Rsabhadeva.
The manner in which Srimad Bhagavata gives the story indicates that the author was not merely following Jaina tradition but depended on some independent evidence. He was not interested in giving Jainism the prestige of antiquity as he shows clear prejudice against the religion by consigning all followers of this religion to Hell. This makes his testimony the more valuable and reliable for establishing the claim of the Jainas to antiquity. History however, on the basis of acceptable evidence recognises only Parsvanatha among Mahavira's predecessors. He was the 23rd Tirthankara and lived about 250 years. before Mahavira. The doctrine as it has come down to us was evolved fully only by Mahavira who attained Nirvana in 526 B.C.
Mahavira did not leave behind any works composed by himself. He did not even preach the full doctrine in public or to his whole band of