INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
By Mr. Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh

Jainism is approximately 8.4 Million years old religion or even more old than that in this cyclic period.Some Scholars believe that Jainism roots within India are even older than the Vedicism (Aryans) which being believed came with the people ( the Aryans ) migrating from other parts of the world (near the Caspian Sea ). The naked statues resembling the Jain monks amongst the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization, do substantiate their claims. Jainism is being referred as Original Source of Religion of India. In Ancient Times Jainism was referred as Shraman Culture. Greeks during Period of Alexander were higly influenced by JainShramans. Jains have their own original versions of Jain Ramayan & Jain Mahabharat which many rarely Know.

The Jain religion, according to the Jain scriptures is eternal, revealed in every cyclic period of the universe. The time is divided into two equal half cycles namely Utsarpini(ascending) Kal & Avasarpini(descending) Kal. Each cycle is again divided into six divisions known as aras.The aras of Avasarpini are in reverse than in Utsarpini.In Avasarpini life on earth worsens while in Utasarpini things improve. So say the Jain scriptures.

There are 24 tirthankars in each half cycle. There has been infinite number of half cycles in past and there will be infinite number of half cycles in future.Jainism is based on laws of nature and truths of the universe. Therefore,Jainism has been in existence since the laws of nature have been in existence.Therefore, Jains believe that the Jain religion has been in existence since the time without beginning and will have no end. Most often Lord Mahavir (24th Tirthankar) is Mis-represented as Founder of Jainism in Many History Books , Indian Tourism Sites (Like Incredible India) whereby he was Last Tirthankar who revived Jainism which was Founded in This Era by Lord Rishabdev /Lord Adinath.

In the Jain tradition there are sixty three highly endowed person who are known as Shalaka Purush or great men. They are 24 Tirthankars, 12 Chakravaritis, 9 Baldevs, 9 Vasudevs, and 9. Prativasudevs. A study of these worthy beings enables one to understand, absorb and assimilate Jain teachings in one's life.

Tirthankars (Also Called Arhats/Arihants/ Jineshwar/Jina,etc) :
Tirthankaras are those Siddhas who profound the truth during their life time which is a higher thing. The Jains have Arhats, the Siddhas, and the Tirthankaras who in the simpler terms and in the corresponding manner are: those who deserve, those who accomplish, and those who sanctify. It is possible for every man to attain the highest state.Tirthankaras take the place of God in the Jain philosophy. Tirthankara ("Fordmaker") is a human who achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge), through asceticism. A Tirthankar becomes a Jina (after totally conquering anger, pride, deceit, desire, etc.). A Tirthankar is the founder of a "Tirth", a Jain community which acts as a "ford" across the "river of human misery".

After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the path to enlightenment. The Tirthankar's religious teachings form the Jain canons. The inner knowledge of all Tirthankars is perfect and identical in every respect, for the teachings of one Tirthankar do not contradict those of another. However, the degree of elaboration varies according to the spiritual advancement and purity of humans during that period. The higher the spiritual advancement and purity of mind, the lower the elaboration required. At the end of his human life-span, a Tirthankar achieves liberation ('moksh' or 'nirvan'), ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths.

Current Period of Cycles Tirthankars:
1. Rishabhanath/ Adinath (India was named Bharat after Eldest son of Tirthankar Adinath i.e Bharat )
2. Ajitanath
3. Sambhavanath
4. Abhinandananath
5. Sumatinath
6. Padmaprabhu
7. Supaarshvanath
8. Chandraprabhu
9. Pushpadanta
10. Shitalnatha
11. Shreyaamshnath
12. Vaasupujya Swami
13. Vimalanath
14. Anantanath
15. Dharmanath
16. Shantinath
17. Kunthunath
18. Aarnath
19. Mallinaatha
20. Munisuvrata swami
21. Namimanth
22. Neminath
23. Paarshvanath
24. Mahavira Swami

Chakravarti :
A Chakravarti is the emperor of the world, lord of the material realm. Though he possesses worldly power, he often finds his ambitions dwarfed by the enormity of the cosmos. One of the greatest Chakravartis mentioned in Jain scriptures is Bharata in whose memory India came to be known as "Bharata-varsha".After conquering the whole world, King Bharata, brimming with pride, sought to inscribe his great feat on the slopes of Mount Meru. To his great dismay, he found names of many other kings carved on Holy Mount Meru.Like him, they too had conquered the world. He was not the first man to do so. He was not the last. There were many before him, there were many after him. Bharata, humbled by the experience, returned to his kingdom to do his duty, aware that his actions were not unique and that his existence was not special.

Baladev:
He is elder brother of a Vasudev and has extreme attachment with his younger brother. A Baldev’s mother sees four great dreams. He has the strength of a million octopeds. Four thousand gods are in his attendance. His weapons, including mace and plough are blessed by a thousand gods each. Because of their mutual affection Baldev and Vasudev rule jointly. After the death of the Vasudev, Baldev becomes and ascetic and indulges n spiritual practices. Some of them are liberated and others are reincarnated in dimensions of gods.

Vasudev :
A Vasudev in his earlier births sheds some specific karmas and determines to acquire this status. His soul then incarnates either in the heaven or the hell and then is born as Vasudev. At the time of his conception his mother sees seven great dreams. His complexion is dark. He has the strength equivalent to 2 million octopeds and he conquers three continents by killing the Prativasudev. He has 16000 kingdoms and kings under his subjugation and 8000 gods in his attendance. He has 16000 queens and seven gems. Vasudeva is a hero who appears on earth from time to time to save the world from the villain Prativasudeva. He is always accompanied by a wiser, older and gentler elder brother known as Baladeva.Baladeva upholds the Jain principle of non-violence. Vasudeva however forsakes this principle for the good of humanity as he kills the Prativasudeva.

Prativasudev:
They also determine their status in their earlier births and are monarchs of three continents. Their powers are slightly lower than that of the Vasudevs. They are necessarily killed by the Vasudevs and go to hell. No. Baldev - Vasudev - Prativasudev - Tirthankar Period
1. Vijay Triprishtha Ashvagriv Contemporary to Shreyans Tirthankar
2. Achal Dviprishtha Tarak Contemporary to Vasupujya ''
3. Sudharm Svayambhu Merak Contemporary to Vimalnath "
4. Suprabh Purushottam Madhukaitabh Contemporary to Anantnath "
5. Sudarshan Purushsimha Nishumbh Contemporary to Dharmnath"
6. Nandi Purushpundarik Bali between Armat and Mallinath "
7. Nandimitra Datta Prahlad between Arnath and Mallinath Tirthankar
8. Ram , Laxman, Ravan between Munisuvrat and Naminath Tirthankars
9. Balbhadra, Krishna , Jarasandh Contemporary to Neminath ( Neminath 22nd tirthankar first cousin of lord krishna - Details available in Vedic holy puran Harivanshpuran)

In the Jain Ramayana, king Ravana (prativasudeva) who abducts Sita, wife of Prince Rama of Ayodhya (Earlier known as Vinita City) , is killed by Lakshmana. Rama refrains from doing so. By adhering to non-violence, he earns the exalted rank of a Baladeva. In the Jain Mahabharata, Krishna (Vasudev) Kills Jarasandh (Prativasudev) .His elder brother Sankharshana/ Balbhadra is the Baladeva ,he refuses to fight the war, renounces the world and finds release. Since jainism (Shraman Culture ) is oldest original religion of India all other faiths including vedic were influenced by Jainism & Jain Shakalpurush. There exist Jain Ramayan & Jain Mahabharat versions.

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Author : Pankaz Chandmal Hingarh
Honoured with International Jain Asmita Award
Secretary of Jainism For World Association
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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
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