Path of Arhat

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi

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The Path of Arhat : A Religious Democracy
brought him to his senses. This inspring incident has become the subject matter of one of the finest pieces of poetry in Jaina literature
Chandogya Upanişad records that Śrīkršna took his education of Ahinsa from a sage called Ghor Argirasa”. Śrī Dharmananda Kausambil, a learned Buddhist Scholar opined that sage Ghor Argirasa, was none other than Sri Neminátha. Other scholars refute this fact. Whatever it may be, it is true that Neminātha known as Aristanemi was highly respected not only by Śrīkrsna and his Yadu family but also by all the members of contemporary society and is the one who is bowed to, first along with other holy names before any auspicious ceremony begins. In fact, one belief is that Sri Balarāma, the forster brother of Srikrşņa, considered to be the most invincible warrior of his times, and, who was the teacher of Duryodhana, the Kaurava chief, and Bhima, the powerful Pandava. Balarā ma was the only warrior of note, not to join Mahabharata war on the principle that there is no war which can be legitimately called 'Dharma-yuddha' (Holy war). The story goes that Balarama was under the influence of the Sramana tradition followed by Nemina tha. Thus in short, these are a few facts known about the 22nd Tirtharikara of the Jainas. Śrī Parsvanatha
The historicity of the 23rd Tirthaikara PárávanJtha is now a well established fact, acceptable to almost all the scholars. The immediate predecessor of Sri Mahavira, was born in 872 B. C. or according to some, in the 8th century B.C., some 350 years before Sri Mahā vīra. Most of the stotras (prayers ) of the Jainas are addressed to him. Mahivira's parents and the whole family belonged to Parsva traditions. Once Mah vīra was believed by some western thinkers as the
1. Kausambi, Dharmananda ; Bharatiya Samskrti Aur Ahi
risa, p. 38.