Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

Page 41

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to be the custodians of Jaina Doctrines. Oriental scholars have now definitely accepted that Mahavira was not the founder, but he was only a reviser of a Faith that existed even before him. The 23rd Tirthankara, who lived (more than) a couple of centuries prior to Vardhamana Mahavira, is generally recognized now to be a historical personage Even the 22nd Tirthankara Aristha Nomi is considered to be a historical personage. This Aristha Nemi was & cousin of Sri Krisna of Mahābhārata fame. Though he was the heir to the kingdom of Harivarśa, he renounced the kingdom as a youth even before marriage, and adopted asceticism as Gautama Buddha and Mahāvīra did long after him. His place of Nirvāņa at Mount Girnār in Junāgad State, is still a place of pilgrimage for the Jains. Krişņa's age, as also the age of Mahābhārata War, is supposed to be the beginning of Kali Yuga. Therefore, Aristha Nami who was a cousin of Sri Krişņa must be in the beginning of Kali Yuga If śrt Krişņa is admited to be a historical personality, there is no reason why the same should not be said about Aristha Nemi. Further Aristha Nèmi is mentioned in some of the Rig-vèdic hymns as one of the important Rishis. Hence the Jaina tradition and the nonJaina tradition seem to accept the historicity of Aristha Nemi. Hence, it would not be altogether an improbable thing to suppose that the A-himsā doctrine must have been prevalent even at the time of Aristha Nemi who is assigned to the beginning of Kali Yuga. To go beyond that would be to cross the border of history and to enter into pre-historio period whose events cannot be clearly vouchsafed for,
But we have to go to the beginning of Jainism, according to the Jaina tradition, to the age of Lord Rişabha. Lord Rişabha is considered to be the first of the Tirthankaras. He is placed almost in Krita Yuga according to Jaina tradition. He is supposed to be the last of the manus, and the first of the Jinas. We have a very interesting account of this period.
१. नैन्द्र तबर्द्धमानं स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पुरुषा विश्वदेवाः स्वस्ति नस्ताक्ष्येऽरिष्टनेमि स्वस्ति नः
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