Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Keval Era / Era of omniscient
As the time period from Lord V abha Deva to the nirva of Lord Mah v ra is considered as T rthamkara era, similarly the time span after the nirva of Mah v ra, from 1 to 64 V.N. is considered as Keval era in Jain World and Jain history.
Nearly 2536 years ago on a dark moon night (am vasy ) in the month of K rtika (October end to November end) after midnight and in the early dawn Lord Mah v ra obtained liberation. From that time onwards V.N. like A.D. in western calendar has come into existence.
Three most significant historical events had occurred during the first few days of V.N. are namely:
1.
The same night Ca dapradyota, the king of Avant , who was of the same age as that of Buddha, passed away at the age of 58 (he was also born on the same day Buddha was born) and his son, P laka, succeeded the throne.
The first ga adhara Indrabh ti Gautama attained omniscience
3.
The fifth ga adhara Sudharm Sw m was nominated as the first Pontiff of Lord Mah v ra tradition.
Origin of Keval Era
In Bharata region, the T rthamkara era came to an end with the liberation of Lord Mah v ra, the 24" T rthamkara and Keval era commenced. In this era, the T rthamkara's 34 auspicious attainments, the 35 auspicious forms of speech and the eight auspicious phenomena did not exist. During the righteous regime of Lord Mah v ra, Indrabh ti Gautama turned out to be the eldest and worthiest amongst his disciples. However, since he could not work very hard to break the pre-bound attachment towards his Guru, he could not attain omniscience during the life time of Lord Mah v ra.
The sun of pure knowledge had set as Lord Mah v ra became free from all activities (Siddha), enlightened (Buddha) and liberated (Mukta). It
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