Fwd: LORD KRISHNA AND JAINISM

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hinducivilization , "J.venkatasubramanian" <apexpreci2000 wrote:http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/jainavoice/jainavoice22.htm LORD KRISHNA AND JAINISM

Lord

Krishna occupies a unique position in the Indian religious tradition.

He embodies himself the luminous stature in the traditions of Jaina,

Buddha and Vaishnava cults. Furthermore Krishna's prehistoric relation

with Jaina literature is blended with the core of his teachings and

achievements. It appears ambiguous as to whether Krishna was a saint,

super human-being, God or Goddess as scripted by numerous writers from

the bygone years. The devotees of Krishna regard him as superman with

paragon of virtues. He stands testimony to all the historical events

that take place in Mahabharatha, where he is depicted as a hero,

politician, conjurer, warrior, omnipotent, conspirer and many miracles

have been knitted around Him which have only further intricated the

personality. It is logical to consider him as an Aryan or Proaryan in

the classics. He is the nucleus of discussion in the entire course of

Mahabharatha.

Astrologically

different views have been expressed regarding his date of birth and

longevity. It is opined that he lived for 125 years 9 months and 8

days, on the contrary it is also mentioned that he lived for only 105

years, taking his birth on B.C.3208.

It is said that Lord Krishna and Neminatha, the twenty second prophet

of Jainism were contemporers and related to each other making their

dent at the transition period of Dwapara and Kaliyugas. During which

time the Kurukshetra warfare had taken place. The Vishnupurana mentions

that lord Krishna found his extinct on the first day of Kaliyuga.

Megasthanese opined that there were 138 generations between the period

of Lord Krishna and Chandragupta. Neminatha, also called Arishtanemi,

is mentioned in Yajurveda. There are found five royal generations such

as Puru, Kuru, Natha, rudra and Hari in Jainism in contrast to two

generations such as sun and moon sects in vedic religion. Sri Neminatha

and Sri Krishna belonged to Harivamsha. The Sanskrit and Kannada

classics are rich with the stories and anecdotes of Pandavas and

Kauravas, depicted as rivals in the epic. Samudravijaya, the father of

Neminatha and Vasudeva, the father of Sri Krishna were regarded as

brothers. Furthermore Analakavrishni, the father of Samudravijaya and

Bhojavrishni, the father of Vasudeva were brothers of the same age.

Shivadevi was the mother of Neminatha. It is not surprising to note the

partisan attitude of Lord Krishna for Pandavas.

Harivamshapurana

(Sri Neminathapurana) by Gunaverma-I, Ardhanemipurana by Nemichandra,

Neminathapurana by Karnaparya, Salvabharatha by Sathvana,

Harivamshabhyudaya by Bandhuverma, Harivamsha by Mangarasa-III,

Neminathapurana by Mahabala and Jain Bharatha by Brahmananka provide a

vivid, conceptual and an extensive description of Lord Krishna.

According to the belief in Jainism Neminatha, Balarama and Sri Krishna

underwent the religious ceremonies together simultaneously;

Samudravijaya preached the ancient hymn; Neminatha narrated the Geetha

version to Lord Krishna in Ardhamagadhi language and the same was

delivered by lord Krishna in the battle field of Kurukshetra.

Ardhamagadhi was the language spoken by the common folk. It is also

cited that many conflicts had taken place between Neminatha and Sri

Krishna. Eventually Sri Krishna regarded Neminatha as his teacher and

mentor.

One can find the mention of Rukmini and Satyabhama, the wives of Sri Krishna as mentioned in the Nemiswamy chapter in

Uttarapurana by Srimad Gunabadhracharya. There is also a mention of Pradhyumna, the son of Lord Krishna and Rukmini.

Jaina Bharatha has incorporated within it the various events pertaining

to lord Krishna. These include Kalinga Mardhana, Rukminiharana and

marriage of Lord Krishna with Satyabhama. Cattle rearing,

Govardhanagiri episode and wrestling of Lord Krishna Chanoora. The

assassination of Kamsa by Krishna is vividly depicted in

it.

It is interesting to note the inherent relationship between Lord Krishna and Jainism in the ancient works.

 

 

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

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