Jainism

Author(s): M R Gelra
Publisher: Createspace

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CHAPTER-2
ANTIQUITY
Introduction
Antiquity refers to ancient times, especially the period before Christ or at least before the middle ages.
The excavations of Indus valley civilization revealed that an entire society and its civilization of that period were built on the edifice of non-violence. Neither traces of weapons nor any defensive fortifications have been found around the cities. A high civilization was born.
Narration
The discovery of the Indus civilization seems to have thrown a new light on the antiquity of Jainism, the oldest living religion of the world. Previously, the onset of Jainism had not been dated so far back, but after renowned Jain Acharya Vidhya Nandji carried out extensive research on the objects and articles available from the Indus valley civilization the discoveries advanced the prevalence of Jainism by at least 5000 years. He comprehensively studied the coins and seals excavated from the Indus valley civilization dating back to an era of 3000-5000 B.C. and established proof of the presence of Jainism in that period.
The most striking archeological features and attributes of the Mohan-jo-daro and Harrapa seals were:
Yogic (Relaxed) Posture - Kayotsarg Mudra Meditative Posture - Dhyanavastha
Cloth-less humans - Digabaratva
These three salient attributes are very specific signature marks of the Jain culture and practices. Nudity has been a special characteristic of Jainism and it is believed that the first Tirthanker, Rishabha, observed the vow of nudity. Kayotsarga posture of standing is very peculiar of Jains. This is a characteristic of Jain images at present. To enhance our understanding; we will analyse one particular seal. Acharya Vidyanandji had earnestly analysed a seal 620/1928-29 carefully preserved at the Central Archaeological Museum of Government of India. The description is as follows:
"Towards the right of the seal is seen Lord Rishabhdev in nude Yogic posture. A trident overhead is symbolic of three gems of Jain tenets : Samyak Gyan, Samyak Darshan, Samyak Charitra. His eldest son, a mighty and supreme king, Bharat is standing in his full
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