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Founders
Approximately 2600 years ago Mahavir
or Vardhaman (599 to 527 BC), the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara
of this era expounded the Jain philosophy which had been previously
preached by his predecessor Tirthankar Parshva (about 950 to 850 BC).
Mahavir expanded the code of conduct and introduced daily observances
for his followers. He felt that such changes were essential for proper
spiritual advancement. Thus Mahavir, like other Tirthankars was more
of a reformer of an existing religious order than the founder of a
new faith. The present Jain scriptures reflect principally the teachings
of Mahavir. In summary, the philosophy of the Jain religion is eternal
and Jains believe that the philosophy behind the teachings of all
Tirthankars is based on those of their predecessors.
The predecessors of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara
of the present half time-cycle, Avabarpinikala with their symbols
for identification and body color, are as under :
| Name |
Symbol |
Body Color |
| Adinatha or Rshabhadeva |
Bullock |
Yellow |
| Ajitnatha |
Elephant |
Yellow |
| Sambhavanatha |
Horse |
Yellow |
| Abhinandansvami |
Monkey |
Yellow |
| Sumatinatha |
Crane |
Yellow |
| Padmaprabhasvami |
Lotus |
Red |
| Suparshvanatha |
Swastik Symbol |
Yellow |
| Chandraprabhasvami |
Crescent Moon |
White |
| Suvidhinatha |
Crocodile |
White |
| Shitalanatha |
Shrivatsa Symbol |
Yellow |
| Shreyansanatha |
Rhino-ceros |
Yellow |
| Vasupujyasvami |
Buffalo |
Red |
| Vimalnatha |
Pig/Boar |
Yellow |
| Anantanatha |
Hawk |
Yellow |
| Dharmanatha |
Vjra, Weapon of Indra |
Yellow |
| Shantinatha |
Deer |
Yellow |
| Kunthunatha |
Male Goat |
Yellow |
| Aranatha |
Nandyavarta Symbol |
Yellow |
| Mallinatha |
Pot |
Indigo (Neeela) |
| Munisuvratsvami |
Tortoise |
Black |
| Naminatha |
Neela – lotus |
Yellow |
| Neminatha (Aristanemi) |
Conch Shell |
Black |
| Parshvanatha |
Cobra |
Indigo (Neela) |
| Mahavirasvami |
Lion |
Yellow |
"George Bernard Shaw in his conversation
with Mr. Devadas Gandhi expressed his view that the Jain teachings
were appealing to him much and that he wished to be born in a Jain
family. Due to the influence of Jainism he was always taking pure
food free from meat, diet and liquors."
-George Bernard
Shaw
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