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A DEMOCRATIC FESTIVAL
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reliable material. They mention it only as the last day of the rainy halt prescribed for Munis, which was later extended to four months.
One notable factor of this festival is that the same is observed as Rishi Panchami in the Vedic tradition. It indicates a common background. Rishabhadeva, the first of the twenty-four Jain tirthankaras (pontiffs), is respected equally in Vedic tradition. He is not only mentioned in the Rigveda but, is described as God incarnate in the Bhagavata also which devotes seven chapters (Ch. II to IX of Fifth Skandha) to his life. Another point of his life is that he preached not only the path of asceticism or renunciation but guided his subjects in the development of a society as well. He taught them the method of cultivation, kindling fire from sticks, weaving, making earthen wares and such other industries. He instituted the system of marriage and arranged the society into castes (varnas) on the basis of occupation. He himself followed the order of Ashramas (four stags of life and took to asceticism (sannyasa) in his last days only. Thus he represented both the Shramanic culture of asceticism and renunciation as well as Brahmanic culture of prosperity. Consequently, he got a respectable place in both the traditions. On this basis, Pandit Sukhlal, the renowned scholar of Indian Philosophy and a man of great vision, suggests Rishbha Panchami as the origin of Rishi Panchami.
Whatever may be its origin, it is a common heritage of Both the great traditions of India. It carries a message of spiritual purification and universal love. It possesses
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