History of Jainism

Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. According to the tradition preserved in the scriptures, Jaina religion is eternal, and has been revealed again and again in every cyclic period of the world by innumerable Jinas (conquerors of Karmas) who are also known as Tirthankaras.

The whole span of time is divided into two equal cycles, Utsarpni (ascending) and Avasarpni (descending). Each Utsarpni and Avasarpni Kala is subdivided into six parts. The six divisions of Avasarpni are known as Sukhma-Sukhma (Happy-Happy), Sukhma (Happy), Sukhma-Dukhma (Happy-Unhappy), Dukhma - Sukhma (Unhappy-Happy), Dukhma (Unhappy) and Dukhma-Dukhma (Unhappy-Unhappy).

The six divisions of Utsarpni start from Dukhma - Dukhma (Unhappy-Unhappy), and repeats in ascending order. The Utsarpni, therefore, marks a period of gradual evolution and the Avasarpni that of gradual devolution or decline in happiness, bodily strength, stature, span of life, and the length of the age itself. The First age being the longest and the Sixth the shortest.

The First, Second and Third ages are called Bhogbhumi and are based on enjoyment, they relies mostly on nature. Life in the other three ages is described as a Karambhumi, since it is based on individual effort. The fourth age of either cycle is supposed to be the best from the point of view of salvation. In this era 24 Tïrthankaras and other great personages which are called Treshath Shalaka Purush (63 Great Personalities) are born. Present era is called Fifth era of the Avasarpni (descending half-circle) of the current cycle of time, This era commenced a few years after Mahavira's nirvana (527 B.C.) and has 21000 years of duration.

Twenty-four Tïrthankaras born at certain intervals in this era preached the true religion for the salvation of the world. Their names are :

(1)            Rishabha/Adinatha

(2)            Ajitnatha

(3)            Sambhavnatha

(4)            Abhinandannatha

(5)            Sumatinatha

(6)            Padmprabha

(7)            Suparsávnatha

(8)            Chandraprabha

(9)            Suvidhinatha or Pushpadanta

(10)        Shitalnatha

(11)        Shriyansha

(12)        Vaspujya

(13)        Vimalnatha

(14)        Anantnatha

(15)        Dharmnatha

(16)        Shantinatha

(17)        Kunthunatha

(18)        Arainatha

(19)        Mallinatha

(20)        Munisuvratnatha

(21)        Naminatha

(22)        Neminatha

(23)        Parsávanatha

(24)        Vardhaman/Mahavira.

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