Jainism in North India

Author(s): Chimanlal J Shah
Publisher: Longmans Green and Compny London

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JAINISM IN NORTH INDIA "The Nirgranthas," observes Dr Jacobi, “are frequently mentioned by the Buddhists, even in the oldest part of the Prtakas. But I have not yet met with a distinct mention of the Buddhas in any of the old Jaina Sūtras, though they contain lengthy legends about Jamalı, Gośāla and other heterodox teachers. As this is just the reverse position to that which both sects mutually occupy in all aftertimes, and as it is inconsistent with our assumption of a contemporaneous origin of both creeds, we are driven to the conclusion that the Nergranthas were not a newly founded sect of Buddha's time This seems to have been the opinion of the Prtahas too; for we find no indication of the contrary in them.” 1
So much about references in Buddhist canons now we shall sce what the Hindu scriptures and legends have to say about Jamısm Though they seem to be somewhat later than Mahāvīra and his times, they go a step further than the Buddhist canon. And, strangely enough, they more or less support the belief of the Jainas that Rshabha was the first Jina of this age.
From Vishnu-Purāna we learn that the Brahmans too have a Rshabha whose life more or less coincides with that of the Jaina one In the Bhagavata-Purana also a detailed account of the life of onc Rshabba is given, and from that it is evident that it is none other than the first Jaina Tirthankara himself A note on Bhagavala-Purāna in Wilson's Vishnu-Purāna has it: “That work cnters much more into detail on the subject of Rshabha's devotion, and particularises circumstances not found in any other Puräna. The most interesting of these are the scenes of Rshabha's wanderings, which are said to be Konka, Vankāta. Kutaka, and Southern Karnātaka, or the western part of the peninsula; and the adoption of the Jaina belief by the people of those countries."
of the remaining Tirthankaras, Sumatı, the fifth Tirthankara, is evidently identical with Bharata's son Sumatı, of whom it is said in thic Bhagavata that he will be irreligiously worshipped by some infidels as a divinity." 3 Besides this, “ Arishtanemi, the twentysecond Tirthankara, is connected with Krshna's myth through
Jambi, 14, 15, 161
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* Xibhi and bu hus quccn Muru the magnanimous Rshabha, and he had a hundred 15 tlic clart of whom wns Bhomtn Hlasing ruled with equity and wisdom, and celeI ratel ning erilirul rites, hic resigned the sovereignty of the earth to the heroic Bharata, te - leon shnu-Purana, 103
tin,P 10; n.