This document provides information on the history and antiquity of Jainism from various sources such as literature, archaeological findings, and references in ancient texts. It discusses topics like the earliest Tirthankars that likely lived thousands of years ago according to Jain texts, references to Jain concepts in Vedic scriptures, archaeological evidence from Harappa and Mohenjodaro dating to 5000 BC, and the spread and later adoption of practices from Hinduism after periods of decline without royal patronage. It also lists the names of prominent Acharyas after Mahavira.

1.  Jaina literature and philosophy, a critical
approach – By Dr. Sagarmal Jain, Pärshvanäth
Vidyäpith
 Forward by Padmanabh Jaini , ‘That Which Is’
By Nathmal Tatia
 Antiquity of Jainism. By Mahävir Saran Jain
 Jainworld.com
 Dr. Malaiya Jain, Uni. Of Colorado
 Various other sources

2.  24 Tirthankars in each half time cycle
 Nirvana of 1st and 24th Tirthankar of Avasarpini
Käl
 4th Ärä is 10¹⁶ Sägaropam years
 Thus according to Jainism Rishabha Dev Bhagawän
existed many billions of years ago

3. prajaaptiryah prathamam jiiivishhu sashaasa
krishsyadishhu karmasuprajah.
(vrihat-svayambhuu stotra)
As first Prajäpati, he taught people, who wanted
to earn a living, various professions.

4.  dhammo vi dayamuulo vinimmiyo aadi bamhena.
(trilokasaara)
 The "first Brahma" (Lord Rishabha) established
the (ordinary) dharma based on compassion
 Ächärya Ravishena in Padma-Purän
vaatod-dhuutaa jataastaasya rejuraakulamuurtauah.
dhuumalva iva sad-dhyaan-vahnisaktaya karmanah.
Blowing in the wind, the locks of his hair looked,
as if they were smoke coming out the fire
burning the karmas.

5.  Bhagavata-Purana also mentions the locks of hair
of Lord Rishabha
..kutila jatila kapisha-kesha-bhuumibhaaraa.
 The Bhagavata says:
ashhtame merudevyaam tu naabherjaata uruukramah.
darshayan vartma dhiiraanaam
sarvaashramanamaskritamam..
In the womb of Marudevi, wife of Näbhi, the lord had
his eighth avatar. He showed himself in a form
that is to be worshipped by all Shramanas.

6.  Bhagavata calls him "shariira maatra parigraha"
(body his only possession), "gagana-
paridhaanah" (wearing the sky), vaatarashanaa
(wearing the wind).
 Full details of Rishabha dev and Bharat are
available in Ädipuräna and Mahäpurän of
Jinsenacharya and Shrimad-Bhagavat.

7.  Biography of Neminäth is available in
Harivanshpuran. Neminäth is connected with the
legend of Sri Krishna as his relative. According to
the Triÿaáûiáaläkäpuruÿacarita, he was a cousin of
Lord Krishna. The age when Väsudeva-Krishana
flourished cannot be determined with certainty.
The Chändogya Upaniÿad (the sixth or seventh
century B.C.) refers to Väsudev Krishna. The
Mahäbhärata war, in which Krishna is known to
have participated, was, according to H.C. Ray
CHAUDHARY, was fought either in the 14th
century B.C. or in the 9th century B.C

8.  Harappa and Mohenjo Daro excavations (5000
BC)
 The nude images in Käyotsarga i.e., the standing
posture lost in meditation, closely resemble the
Jaina images.
 Some idols even in Padmäsan pose (unique to
Sramanik tradition).
 A few others, found at Mohenjo-Daro, have
hoods of serpents – Pre-Vedic Naga tribe,
probably that of 7th Tirthankar Supärshva Näth

9.  References of Vratya and Arhatas in Rig-Veda
and Atharva Veda.
 In the Upanishadik period (800 B.C.) they were
known as Sramana and Nirgranth.
 Mentions in Vedas and Upanishadas about
Tirthankar Rishabha, Arishthnemi, Supärshva
and Ajit.
 This reasonably proves that Jainism is pre-
Vedic, at least 3000 B.C. to 5000 B.C.

10.  Bhagawän Pärshvanäth (850 BCE) flourished in
Väränasi based on several mentions in
Buddhist texts.
 Mention of Chaturyäma in Buddhist texts
 The Majjhima Nikäya records a dispute
between Buddha and Sakdäl, the son of a
Nirgrantha
 Presence of Pärshva followers at the time of
Mahävir

11.  Nätaputta and Lichchaviputta
 Vedic Tradition and Srmanik Tradition
 Sänkhya and Ajivika Traditions – short lived
 Vedic Tradition
Ritualism, Yajna, Sacrifice, Tantrism,
Cast system, Brahmanic Dominance
 Sramanik Tradition
Austerity, Penance, Equanimity,
atheism and non-possessiveness

13.  Idol worship - 4th - 3rd century BC
 Adoption of Hindu deities 5th – 8th century AD
 Inclusion of Rama, Rävan and Krishna
amongst the next 24 Tirthankar before 3rd
Century AD.
 Inclusion of Rama and Krishna amongst others
in 63 Salakäpurusha
 Jain Rämäyan by Vimal Suri – 1st to 3rd Century
AD

14.  Magadha – Capital Patliputra (Patna) - the center
of knowledge and learning 160 years after Mahävir
( 350 BC)
 Nanda Dynasty – Chandra Gupta Maurya
 12 year famine in Magadha
 Ächärya Bhadrabähu away
 First Vächanä of Ägam in Patliputra under the
leadership of Sthulibhadra
 Beginning of schism of Shvetämbar and Digambar
 12th Ägam – Drashtiväda - extinct

15.  Buddhism competing with Jainism
 Role of King Ashoka (304 BC – 232 BC) in
Buddhism. Ashoka coronation in 270 BC. Ruled
for 38 years
 Resurgence of Brahmanism in 150 BC
 Void of royal support for Jainism and
subsequent migration of Jains from Magadha

16.  Towards Delhi, Mathura and Gujarat - Mostly
followed Shvetämbar tradition
 Through the coastal route to Orissa and then
onwards to Karnataka, Chennai and Mysore –
Mostly followed Digambar
 This is why current distribution of Shvetämbar
and Digambar. And virtually absent Jainism in
Bihar

17.  King Madhav comes to power with great effort
of a Digambar Monk Simhanandi In Karnatak
 Many rulers of Ganaga dynasty after Madhav
continue to support until 14th AD
 In Gujarat, no such support until King Vanaraj
who ruled between 746 AD and 806 AD
 Subsequent lack of royal support until Ächärya
Hemchandrä-chärya (1088-1173) influences
Solanki King Kumärpäl who ruled Gujarat
(1143-1173 )
 No significant royal support post Kumärpäl era

18. l. Sudharmä-swämi
2. Jambuswämi
3. Prabhav swämi
4. Sayyam-bhava Swami
5. Yashobhadra
6. (a) Bhadrabähu and (b) Sambhuti Vijay.
7. Sthulibhadra.

19. 8. (a) Mahägiri and (b) Suhastin.
9. (a) Susthita and (b) Supratibuddha
(a) Kotika and (b) Kakandaka
10. Indradatt.
11. Datta.
12. Sinhgiri.
13. Vajra.
14. Vajrasena.