Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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deleted at once. The Vedic Aryans could conquer them only after the moment they became slack in following the right conduct as revealed by the dialogue held between Laxmi and Indra. Then the leadership went to the hands of Indra who ruled over the Northern India and the Asuras centered in Southern India'. The Santiparva of the Mahabharata speaks of the spritualism of the Asuras who were the followers of Sraman idealogy''.
Likewise, the Panis were also the followers of Sramana tradition. They are called Dasyus (7.6.2), misers - Krpanas (1.124.10; 4.51.3) who do not donate any thing to the Purohitas or Devas (1.33.3; 1.83.2; 6.13.3 etc.) in the Rgveda. Naga clans may also have been somehow connected with the Sramanism. The Asuras, Vratyas, Yatis and Munis were also called Brahmacaris who used to control over sexual passions and followed Sramanology (Atharvaveda, 11.5.). They were also worshipper of nude figures which were not recognised by the Vedic Rsis who clearly prayed “Let not Sisnadevan enter our sacrifical Pandala 19.
These references compel us to be of view that the Sramana system was pravelent during the Vedic period. The Vedic Aryas were their opponent and therefore their antiquity goes definitely back to indus civilization and even earlier to that it was in existence. The cult of Rudra or Siva may be closely associated with the Sramana culture led by Jainas. The Buddhists joined this Sramana tradition afertwards. This fact can be understood through peeping into the history of Jainsim and Buddhism and their traditions in connection with creation of universe, and conception of soul and
god.
The first Tirthankara, Adinatha (or Rsabhadeva) of the Jaina, has also been referenced in vedic literature. The Roveda (4.58.3; 10.136.1) clearly refers to Rsabhadeva. The Vatarasanas, people surviving on air and not eating must be related to Digambara Jainas. They are also referred to in the Taitriya Aranyakas (1.23.2.1; 24.4.2.71). Kesi and Rsabhadeva mentioned in the Roveda (10.9.102-6.136) are one and the same personalities. The Bhagwat Purana submits his life in detail which is followed by Visnu, Siva, Agni, Kurma, Markandeya, Vayu, and other Puranas. The
17. Mahabharata, 225, 37 18. Ibid. 227. 17 19. Rgveda, 7.21.5