The tradition states that time is infinite
and follows repetitive cycles of ascents and descents. During the phase
of ascent there is a gradual increase of truth and goodness, and during
the period of descent there is a decrease of happiness and righteousness.
It is held that at the end of the third division of the period of descent
fourteen propounders of the faith appeared and that during the fourth
division of decline, sixty-three heroes arrived of whom there were
twenty-four Tirthankaras.
The fourteen propounders are credited for
their progressive work. The Manu Nabhi, the last member of this ground
had a wife named Marudevi, who gave birth to a son named Rsabha who is
generally credited with being the first Tirthankara. Tradition calls him
the �harbinger of civilization.� Having performed his role of educating
the people in all aspects of culture, Rsabha renounced the world he had
civilized and retired to the forest where he attained supreme knowledge (Kaival-Jnana)
and became a Jina. He then spent his time preaching his creed of love.
In the end he attained nirvana at Mt. Kailasa.
Rsabha was succeeded by twenty-three other
Tirthankaras, The historical character of these heroes is not clear; even
so historian J. P. Jain has been able to link these personalities to
pivotal milestones of ancient Indian history. All of them preached the
Jaina values of nonviolence, truth, nonstealing, nonpossessiveness, and
dedicated their lives to the service of suffering humanity. Parsva, the
twenty- third Tirthankara, was exceptional, his influence extended to
Central Asia and Greece. Under the impact of his teachings, Vedic
sacrifice diminished and the spiritualistic philosophy of the Upanishads
began to rise. Lord Parsva is often described as the real founder of
Jainism.
The last of the twenty-four Tirthankaras was
Vardhamana Mahavira (the Great Hero), a contemporary of Lord Buddha, born
of royal parents in the year 599 B.C. His boyhood became the stuff of
legends because of his expansive compassion toward all creatures. At the
age of thirty, he renounced the world and became a monk. After twelve
years of deep meditation and severe austerities, Mahavira attained the
state of supreme knowledge. At the age of forty-two he became an Arhat, a
Jina, a Tirthankara. From then on he preached the tenets of the Sramana
cult in the popular language of the masses (Prakrit). He also introduced
several innovations such as the vow of Brahmacarya (celibacy) and the
constitution of the community into a four-fold order consisting of monks,
nuns, male householders, and female householders. His religion is aptly
described as Sarvodayatirtha (an order for the upliftment of all). The
doctrine of Sarvodaya characterizes Mahavira�s order as one in which
everyone has an equal opportunity to rise; everyone may attain the highest
position; everyone has the full right to knowledge and happiness. Having
spent his entire ministry spreading the principle of Ahimsa and self-realisation,
Mahavira attained nirvana (salvation) at the age of seventy-two in the
year 527 B.C. The event was celebrated with lights, signifying his
friendship for all living beings. The celebration is continued today
through the famous festival of Dipavali.
