What is Jainism

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Umedchand and Kusumbaben Charitable Trust Ahmedabad

Page 8

21. Naminath 22. Neminath .... 23. Parshvanath .......... 24. Mahavira
Blue Lotus
Conch Shell ...... Snake ........... Lion
All of these Tirthankars were Kshatriyas, a class of warriors and ruling princes. Many of them were Chakravartis, emperors. Tirthankar Mallinath was a female, a princess from a royal family. Each tirthankar is given a different symbol of identity. This is an illustrative tendency of Indian culture to give a place of pride to all animate and inanimate things of life. Except Mahavira and Parshvanath, there is no historical proof of the existence and other details of Tirthankars. There is sufficient data about the existence of Rishabhdev, Ajitnath, Munisuvrathnath and Neminath in contemporary Indian literature such as Purana, Bhagvata, Rigved and Yajurved. Their role is similar to that of prophets. They are not worshipped as Gods, though Digambars and Swetambars (the two main sects of Jainism) have built their temples in order to worship these revered souls who have achieved liberation. Sthanakwasi Swetambars (a branch of Swetambar Jains) do not believe in this type of idol worship.
08. Describe briefly the lives and mission of the 1st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Tirthankars.
A8. Shri Rishabhdev:
He was the father of modem civilization and culture. He established the institution of marriage, evolved the script known as “Brahmi" a name given also to one of his daughters. It was he who first taught the art of agriculture, building of molds, township, and disposal of dead bodies by cremation. His father was king Nabhi of Ayodhya who was the last of "Manus", law givers. His mother was Marudevi. He had a son named "Bharat” who became a Chakravarti (emperor) and named India as "Bharat Varsha".
He was the pioneer of the Shramana Tradition. After rendering yeomen services to the society, he renounced his kingdom, became a recluse and organized a society of Shramanas based on Ahimsa, renunciation and austerities. Hindus regard him as one of their "Avatara", (prophets of divine descent). Jains do not believe in the theory of Divine Descent since the Divinity is evolved only by spiritual efforts. (Ref: pg 9-12)
Shri Neminath:
He was a contemporary of Lord Krishna, who was his first cousin, being the son of Samudravijay, elder brother of Shri Krishna's father. He was engaged with Rajemati a princess sister of King Kansa who was
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