Jinamanjari 1996 04 No 13

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 81

evidences from Mohenjo-Daro excavations, it is still quite difficult to determine a precise beginning of Jain religion. Some of the evidences available from Mohenjo-Daro push back the antiquity of Jainism at least 5,000 years from the present era. The study of the finds of the Indus Valley Civilization have clearly established the kayotsarga stance as one of the special characteristic features of Jainism. In these finds, three special characteristic features are displayed: kayotsarga posture, dhyanastithi [meditational contemplation] and nudity. Mohenjo-Daro seals containing kayotsarga posture also have the bull picture, and the bull is the insignia of Rsabha.
The Padmacandrakosa explains the origin of the meaning of the word Rsabha: "A saint who has mastered all knowledge." In the Hindu Puranas, there are references to Rsabha and his son Bharata. There was, however, a false view that India derived its name after Bharata, son of Dusyanta. It has now been established by many scholars that the name originated with Emperor Bharata, the elder son of Rsabha.4 The earlier name of India was Ajanabhavarsa. Ajanabha (Nabhi) was the father of Rsabha. Hence the Ajanabhavarsa. The varsa means country-nation, as in the reference to India as Bharatavarsa.
name
Asceticism in India is quite ancient and its continual and progressive growth has been phenomenal. Similarly, the yoga system was pioneered by the ksatriya class, and later the Brahmins adopted it.5 The Indus Valley Civilization artifacts reveal this system which represents a progressive tradition. The view that the Indus Valley Civilization was that of the Jaina culture is supported by historic, cultural and literary sources." Nilakantadass observes that "Jainism is a religion of asceticism and austerities. Before the advent of the Vedic system, Jainism was prevalent in India. In all probability it was a Dravidian religion before the Vedic tradition."7 In the Jaina system there are few special terminological words. Dr. Magaladev Sastri is
74