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UVO
Antiquity of Jainism the name of Suparsvanatha' but the meaning is not definite. A seated image with a hood over its head attended by a half kneeling figure in respoctful attitude in the pictures No. 15 & 16 of plate VIII may be the representation of the seventh Tirthankara Suparsvanatia? Ajitanatha as a Historical Figure:
The second Tirthan kara is Ajitanātha, born in Ayodhy. The Yajurvēda mentions the name of Ajitapatha' but the meaning is not clear. His younger brother according to Jain traditions was Sagara who became the second Charkravarti. He is known from the traditions of both Hinduism and Jainism as found in their respective Purans. From the Hindu source, he is known to have many sons. One of them was Bhagiratha who brought the Ganges. From the Jain account, it is clear that Sagara in his last days adopted the life of asceticism from Ajitanatha and retired from the worldly life. Ajitanātha seems to be as real a person as Sagara. Historicity Of Rishabhacēva:
Even Rishabhadēva, founder of Jainism may be a historical figure. An image of Rishabha of V. S. 162 of the time of the Kushan Emperor Vasudēva has been discovered at Mathura. The inscription of Kbárvēla tells us that the image of Rishabha carried by Nanda three hundred years before was brought back by him to Kaling. There was thus the worship of Rishabha even in the fifth century B. C. in the time of Napdas. This points out that if Mahavira or Parsva had been the founders of Jainism, it would not have been possible to find the images of Rishabha in the very early period. This indicates that he is not a mythical figure but a real personality. The name Vrishabha is mentioned in the Vēdas,? but the meaning is not certain. The different
1. Iudian Philosophy Vol. I. P. 287. 2. Marshall-Mohenjodaro and the Indus Valley Civilization P. 60. 8. Indian Philosophy Vol. 1 P. 287. 4. Mahāpuräna, Trisaşhthiyalikäpurusha Charitra etc. 5. Mathura Museum Catalogue Pt. III, pp. 6 & 6.
8. मगधानं च विपुलं भयं जनेती हथिस गंगायं पाययंति मगधं च राजानं बहु परिसासिता-पादे बदापयति नंदराजनि तस अगजिनस-गहरतन पडिहार हिममगधे वसि उनपरि। -जैन लेखसंग्रह. मुनि जिनविजय.
7. Indian Philosophy Vol. 1 p. 287 see also, Samaveda (4,1); Atharvavoda ( 20, 143, 10)
(It has been read differently by the other scholars. Therefore, it is a controversial question. Nothing can be said definitely about it. )
