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Non-absolutistic Heritage of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra 189
an original system quite distinct and independent from all others?. So Dr. G. N. Jha says : If it has similarities with the other Indian syetems, it has its own peculiarities and marked differences as well. Though it may not be possible at this stage of our knowledge to determine the comparative antiquity of Jaina and Brahmanic things, 3 we may say that Jainism is probably as old as the Vedic religion, if not the older ......, 4" It is indeed very original, independent and systematic doctrines and is one of the earliest home religions of India. Unlike Buddhists Jainism, on the other hand, has preserved down to the present time its integrity as a separate world. Hence, it is wrong to hold that Jainism was founded by Mahavīra in the 6th Century. That his predecessor "Parsva was a historical person, is now admitted by all as very probable.” But again, Jacobi says : “There is nothing to prove that Parśva was the founder of Jainism, Jaina tradition is unanimous in making Rşabha, as the First Tirthankara"whose references as a recognised mystics, are found in the Vedic and Puranic literature. The Hindus, themselves recognise Rşabhadeva as the 9th incarnation of Vişnu'. The excavations at Mohenjodarolo, specially the 1. Jacob, L. H. : “The Metaphysics and Ethics of the Jaina
ism", Jaina Antiquary, Arrah, Vol. X, No. 1, p. 40. 2. Jaina Gagette, 1921, p. 146. 3. Chakravarti, C. H. : 'Jainas and Hindus’, Jaina Gagette,
April, 47, p. 61. 4. Cultural Heritage of India (Culcutta : R. K. Centenary
Memorial ), Vol. I, pp. 185-198. 5. Guerinor, A. : Bibliographica Jainica ( Introduction ). 6. S. B. S. ( Jaina Sutras ), XLV (Introduction ). 7. Indian Antiquary, Vol. IX, No. 2, p. 163. 8. Ranade, R. B. : Mysticism in Maharashtra, p. 9. 9. Bhagavat Mahapurāṇam, V. 5, 28; V.5.3, V. 5. 32;
Harivamsa Purăņam, VIII. 58. 10. “Mohenjodaro Antiquities and Jaina Antiquary, XIV, 1,
pp. 1-7.
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