Jaino Ka Itihas Darshan Vyavahar Evam Vaignanik Adhar

Author(s): Chhaganlal Jain, Santosh Jain, Tara Jain
Publisher: Rajasthani Granthagar

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GLIMPSES OF HISTORY OF JAINS
Only Mahaveer the last of twenty four Tirthankars can be called historical person, in view of available evidences. Other Tirthankars belong to antiquity or realm of mythology. The buddhists scriptures just written after Buddha, mention, Mahaveer as Nayputta of Nigantha or Jina being contemporary of Buddha. 'Swentamber Jains' canonical texts coming down on the basis of correct utterances, audition from Guru to the disciples, were reduced to writing in the fifth century A.D., narrate the birth of Lord Mahaveer in B.C. 599 on Chaitra Sudi 13. He was of 'Gyatra-Kul' a Ksahatriya prince of Kundgram Vaishali, which is about 43 KM. from Patana, then ruled by Srenik- Bimbasar- so mentioned in 'Dassa- SutSkandh' (Jain text) or Bimbasar in Buddhist texts. Nirgrantha or 'Jin' meant getting rid of passionsaversions and attachments.
The parents of Mahaveer followed the 'ChaturyanDharma'- fourfold religion. Non violence, Truth, Nonstealing and Non Possession (Ahimsa, Satya, Achaurya and Aparigrapha of Lord Parswanth born 250 years before Mahaveer.) As per Jain mythology the 22nd