Jainism And Its History

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology

Page 19

In the later times of the Aupanisadika period (c. 800 BC) the Vrātyas, Arhatas and Śramaņas were divided into various religious schools. At that time (c.800 BC to AD500), Jainism was known as Nirgratha-dharma. In the Buddhist Pāli Tripitaka, in ancient Jaina canon, and in the pillar-edicts of Ashoka, the religion of Lord Pārśva and Mahāvīra is mentioned by the name of Nirgrantha dharma. The historicity of Lord Parsva, the 23rd Tirthankara, is now well established and accepted by all scholars. According to Jaina tradition, the predecessor of Lord Parsva was Aristanemi. He was the cousin of Lord Krsna. The historicity of Aristanemi can also be established on the basis of historicity of Lord Krsna. If we believe that Lord Krsna was a historic person, then we may also believe that the Aristanemiwas also a historical personage. We find his name not only in Vedas but in the Upanisada and Hindu-Puranas also. Some scholars presented inscriptional evidence to prove the historicity of Aristanemi (Neminatha).
Dr. Prananath published in The Times of India (19 March 1935) a copper-plate grant of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (1140 BC) found at Prabhasapattan in Gujarat. According to his reading, this king must have come to Mount Revata to pay homage to Lord Neminatha. Though his reading was not accepted by all scholars, yet we cannot reject it as totally mistaken as there are certain proofs in his reading. Lord Nami of Mithila, the 21stTirthankara of the Jainas is also accepted as Rsi in the Aupanisadika and Hindu Pauranic tradition.
So far as the historicity of Lord Rsabha is concerned, it is a well established fact that not only his name but his life-story and teachings are mentioned in the Bhagavat and some other Puranas. According to Professor Dalasukha Malvania, a well-read scholar of Buddhist canon, the names of some Jaina Tirthankaras such as
17 Jainism and its History