Jain Legend Vol 4

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

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Preface (brief)
The extremely lengthy history of Jainism starting from the coalition time of Bhogayuga (period of enjoyment) and Karmayuga (period of effort for enjoyment) up to V.N. 1475 has been discussed in the first three parts of this series in an abridged and simple form. The period ranging from V.N. 1476 to 2000 has been compiled in this part. Following the method adopted by c rya r in this part too, along with the history of Jainism, we have presented the contemporary social and political scenario of the period concerned.
The history of Jainism, starting from the first T rthamkara V abhadeva to the last T rthamkara omniscient Lord Mah v ra, had been compiled in the first part of this series. The contemporary social and political conditions of that period were also described in brief. This period, i.e. the T rthamkara period is considered as the Golden age in the history of Jain religion.
The second part deals with the history of Jainism from the time of liberation of Lord Mah v ra to V.N. 1000. In it, the political and social conditions prevalent in India during those 1000 years have also been discussed in a chronological order. This period is classified under four headings:
Omniscient period: Period of knower of: - 14 prior canons;
-10 prior canons; -Ordinary knower of Scriptures.
The four-fold religious order of Lord Mah v ra remained united and continued its course untainted, like a rivulet, in spite of a few stray incidents during the time of rya Mah giri and rya Suhast
mately in the 4th decade of the third century V.N. resulting in the trifurcation of unified congregation into vet mbara, Digambara and Y pan ya sects and also the inception of lax-code of conduct by the default Temple dweller monks. The four-fold religious order of Lord Mah v ra also carried out welfare activities and uplifted the people by preaching and inspiring them to follow scripture-based right doctrines and way of living.
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