Study of Jainism

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 60

Other Tirthankaras
45
avoided the mythological narration about the life story of both Aristanēmi and Lord Krişna and Balarama and others. Recent researches show that Mahabharata is based on certain basic incidents about the conflicts between Pandavas and Kowravas which have been considered as historical. Lord Krişna has been referred to as a historical figure. The battle of Kuruksetra was a historical fact If Sri Krişna were to be considered as historical figure, there is no reason to doubt the historicity of Aristanēmi. As we described earlier, we have in the presentation of the life story of Ariştanēmi, stepped into the vestibules of history from the coriders of proto history.
PĀRS VANATHA :
With Parsvanatha, the 23rd tirthankara, we enter the portals of history. Parsvanatha was a historical figure There are evidences to show that he preached jainism and his doctrines have been referred to as Caturyam i dharma. It has been suggested that the first tirthankara Rşabha and the last Mahavira preached the religion of five-fold vows (Pancayama) while the remaining 22 tirthankaras preached the caturyama dharma (four-fold vows). 31 Uttaradhyayana sūtra mentions the caturyama dharma as consisting of (1) ahimsa (non-violence), (ii) Musdvadu virati (abstenance from telling lies), (iii) adattadana virati (abstenance from taking what is not given) and (iv) Sarva-bahirdhadana virati (non-possession). 32 However, Pūjyapada maintains that only Mahavira preached the five-fold vows.38 In the Uttaradhyayana there is a dialogue between the disciple of Parsva called Kesi and Gautama, the first Gañadhara of Mahavira regarding the adoption of five-fold vows by Mahavira and the modification he introduced in the four-fold practice of Parsvanatha.34 Buddhist tripițakas mention the prevailing practice of Cavujjama dharma at the time of the Buddha.95 In his early days of the search for truth, the Gautama, the Buddha was influenced by the practices of Nigghanta tradition preached and followed by Parsvanatha The Buddha himself explains this to his disciples. “O Sāriputta, "he says, “before I attained the enlightenment, I practised the ascetic practices, moved about naked pulled my hair and ate whatever I was