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INTRODUCTION
The one towering personality at the birth of pre-historic history of the Aryan race is Rishabha Deva. According to the Hindus he flourished 28 great yugas (millions of years) ago. His son was Bharat, the first great Emperor, after whom India came to be known as Bharatavarsha. .: Rishabha Deva was son of Nabhi Rai, his mother was Maru Devi. From his birth he was marked with all the most auspicious of signs. He learnt all wisdom untaught. Today we would call such a man a genius; but Rishabha Deva rose higher; he became what is known as a Tirthamkara. He has been counted amongst the incarnations of one of their chief gods by the Hindus. Actually he was the founder of Jainism.
The world has been grossly mistaken about the age of Jainism. Early hasty enquiries hurriedly jumped to the conclusion that it originated as a branch of Budhism. This error was dispelled by further research. Today from the excavated seals and images it is certain that Jainism was flourishing at the date of the Mohenjo Daro Civilization, over 5,000 year ago. But the last word should certainly go to the Hindus who have never disputed the fact that Rishabha Deva was the original founder of Jainism, and that its antiquity is immense and to be measured in millions.
The Brahmanda Purana FETT GT10 of the Hindus
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