JAINISM
- Jainism is one of the oldest Indian religions. The word comes from Jina (“the Conqueror”), one who has conquered passions and desires.
- Jain tradition recognises 24 Tirthankaras (ford-makers, who show the path across the cycle of birth and death). The first is Rishabhanatha and the last is Mahavira.
- Followers of Mahavira were also called Nirgranthas (“free from bonds”).
- Jainism rose in the 6th century BCE in the Magadha–Kosala region, as a reaction against Vedic rituals, animal sacrifice and Brahmanical dominance. Mahavira was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha.
- Jainism does not believe in a creator God and does not accept the authority of the Vedas.
Key Tirthankaras and Their Symbols
Jainism recognises 24 Tirthankaras.
| No. | Tirthankara | Symbol | Key Fact |
| 1st | Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) | Bull | Founder of Jainism; mentioned in the Rigveda |
| 2nd | Ajitanatha | Elephant | Second Tirthankara |
| 19th | Mallinatha | Kalasha (water jar) | Digambaras consider him male, whereas Svetambaras consider her female |
| 22nd | Neminatha (Arishtanemi) | Conch shell (Shankha) | Believed to be a cousin and contemporary of Lord Krishna |
| 23rd | Parshvanatha | Snake / serpent | Preceded Mahavira by about 250 years; propounded the four vows (Chatur Yama) |
| 24th | Mahavira (Vardhamana) | Lion | Real promoter of Jainism; added the fifth vow of celibacy (Brahmacharya) |
Other symbols: Shantinatha (16th) = Deer; Naminatha (21st) = Blue lotus; Suparshvanatha (7th) = Swastika.
About VARDHAMANA MAHAVIRA
| Detail | Fact |
| Birth | 540 BCE at Kundagrama, near Vaishali (Bihar) |
| Father | Siddhartha (head of the Jnatrika clan) |
| Mother | Trishala (Lichchhavi princess, sister of King Chetaka) |
| Enlightenment (Kevala Jnana) | Attained at age 42 under a Sal tree on the banks of the river Rijupalika, near Jrimbhikagrama |
| Salvation (Nirvana) | Attained at age 72 at Pavapuri, near Rajgir (Bihar) |
| First Sermon | Delivered at Vipulachala Hill in Rajgriha |
| Other names | Vardhamana, Jina, Mahavira (the great hero), Nirgrantha; Pali texts call him Nigantha Nataputta |
Core Philosophy and Doctrine
Pancha Mahavratas (Five Great Vows)
| Vow | Meaning | Given by |
| Ahimsa | Non-violence; the most fundamental principle | Parshvanatha |
| Satya | Truthfulness | Parshvanatha |
| Asteya | Non-stealing | Parshvanatha |
| Aparigraha | Non-possession / non-attachment | Parshvanatha |
| Brahmacharya | Celibacy | Added by Mahavira |
- The first four vows (Chatur Yama) were given by Parshvanatha; Mahavira added the fifth, Brahmacharya.
- Monks and nuns follow these as Mahavratas (great vows). Lay followers follow a milder form, the Anuvratas (small vows).
Triratna (Three Gems)
| Gem | Meaning |
| Samyak Darshana | Right Faith |
| Samyak Jnana | Right Knowledge |
| Samyak Charitra | Right Conduct |
Philosophical Concepts
| Concept | Meaning |
| Anekantavada | Theory of pluralism: reality has many aspects and no single view is the complete truth |
| Syadvada | Theory of conditional assertion or relativity: every statement is true only “in some respect” (syat) |
- Jiva (soul) exists in all living beings; Ajiva is non-living matter. Karma is seen as subtle matter that sticks to the soul; liberation comes by stopping and shedding karma.
- Jainism lays great stress on Ahimsa, fasting and penance (tapas).
Sects of Jainism
| Point | Svetambara | Digambara |
| Meaning | “White-clad” (monks wear simple white garments) | “Sky-clad” (naked); complete renunciation of all possessions, including clothes |
| Founder / Leader | Led by Sthulabhadra in North India during the 3rd-century BCE Magadha famine | Led by Bhadrabahu; monks migrated south to Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) during the same famine |
| Attire and possessions | White robes; limited basic possessions (alms bowl, broom) | Complete nudism (Aparigraha); carry only a Picchi (peacock-feather broom) and a Kamandalu (water pot) |
| Women’s salvation | Women can directly attain Moksha in their current lifetime | Women cannot attain Moksha directly; they must be reborn as men first |
| Mahavira’s life | Mahavira was married to Yasoda and had a daughter Anojja (Priyadarshini) | Mahavira remained a lifelong celibate and attained enlightenment as a bachelor |
| Scriptures | Accept the 12 Angas and Jain Agamas compiled at the Pataliputra Council | Reject the 12 Angas, believing Mahavira’s original teachings were lost over time |
| 19th | Mallinatha was female | Mallinatha was male |
LITERATURE
- Language: Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi), used for popular preaching.
- Primary texts: 12 Angas, 12 Upangas, and the Kalpasutra, written by Bhadrabahu and describing the lives of the Tirthankaras. Many exam guides say it was written in Sanskrit, though scholars generally regard it as a Prakrit text.
- Agamas: sacred texts containing the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
- Later Jain works: Tattvartha Sutra (Umaswati, Sanskrit), Trishashtishalakapurushacharita and Parishishtaparvan (Hemachandra), Adipurana (Jinasena), Kavirajamarga (Amoghavarsha I, Kannada).
Jain Councils
| Council | Year | Venue | Chairman | Key Outcome |
| 1st Council | 300 BCE | Pataliputra | Sthulabhadra | Division into Svetambara and Digambara; compilation of the 12 Angas |
| 2nd Council | 512 CE | Valabhi (Gujarat) | Devardhi Kshamasramana | Final compilation of the Jain Agamas |
Key Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
| Kaivalya | Liberation / state of supreme knowledge |
| Jina | “The Conqueror”, one who has conquered passions and desires |
| Nirgrantha | “Free from bonds”; followers of Jainism / Mahavira |
| Sallekhana / Santhara | Religious vow of voluntary fasting unto death |
| Agamas | Sacred texts containing the teachings of the Tirthankaras |
| Basadis | Jain monasteries or shrines, particularly in South India |
| Picchi / Kamandalu | Peacock-feather broom / water pot of Digambara monks |
Royal Patrons of Jainism
| Patron | Contribution |
| Chandragupta Maurya | Joined Bhadrabahu, migrated to Shravanabelagola and practised Sallekhana |
| Kharavela | Ruler of Kalinga; known from the Hathigumpha inscription |
| Bimbisara and Ajatashatru | Rulers of Magadha; contemporaries and patrons of Mahavira |
| Amoghavarsha I | Rashtrakuta king who wrote Kavirajamarga |
| Kumarapala | Solanki ruler of Gujarat; encouraged Jainism in Western India |
Famous Jain Monuments
| Monument | Place | Built by / Fact |
| Gommateshwara (Bahubali) Statue | Shravanabelagola, Karnataka | Built by Chamundaraya |
| Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves | Odisha | Built under King Kharavela of Kalinga |
| Dilwara Temples | Mount Abu, Rajasthan | Built by Solanki rulers |
| Khajuraho Jain Temples | Madhya Pradesh | Built by Chandela dynasty rulers |
PYQ
1.Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism? (RRB NTPC (Graduate ) 2024)
(a) Parshvanatha (b) Rishabhanatha (c) Mahavira (d) Neminatha
Ans: b
2.The symbol of Mahavira is: (RRB ALP 2025)
(a) Bull (b) Snake (c) Lion (d) Conch
Ans: c
3.Mahavira attained Kevala Jnana on the banks of the river: ( RRB NTPC (UG) 2025)
(a) Rijupalika (b) Ganga (c) Son (d) Niranjana
Ans: a
4.Mahavira attained Nirvana at: (RRB NTPC (Graduate ) 2025)
(a) Kundagrama (b) Pavapuri (c) Vaishali (d) Kushinagar
Ans: b
5.Which vow was added by Mahavira to the four vows of Parshvanatha? (RRB NTPC (Graduate ) 2025)
(a) Ahimsa (b) Satya (c) Asteya (d) Brahmacharya
Ans: d