Question

The original teachings of Mahavira are contained in the _____
A. Jatakas
B. Tripitikas
C. Purvas
D. Angas

Answer 1

Hint: Lord Mahaveer was the \[{{24}^{th}}\] Tirthankara of Jainism religion and succeeded \[{{23}^{rd}}\] Tirthankar Parshwanath. Lord Rishabdev was the first Tirthankara of Jainism. Vardhaman Mahaveer was born in a royal Kshatriya family of Vaishali in Bihar during \[{{6}^{th}}\]century BC. He died at Pavapuri, a holy place of Jainist followers situated in the state of Bihar.

Complete answer:
The religion of Jainism has \[24\] Teerthankars ( literally a ‘ford – maker’) and Lord Mahaveera was the last of them. The first Teerthankar founded the religion of Jainism and are seen as highly divine beings who have transcended the cycle of life: birth and death and pave way for the salvation of other beings.
There are total \[14\] Purvas in Jainism. These \[14\] Purvas are mentioned in the \[{{12}^{th}}\] anga of Jinvani also known as Drishtivaad Anga. These purvas constitute an important part of Jainist scriptures and were preached by all Tirthankaras. It is believed that these Purvas contain the knowledge of every type of this entire universe.
Jatakas are famous stories of early lives of Buddha which contain morals of life. In these stories, Buddha has taken birth as different living beings apart from a human being alone. Tripitakas are scriptures of the Buddhist religion and are mainly written in the Pali language. Eg, Sutta Pitaka, Vinay Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka, etc. Purvas are important Jainist scriptures containing the knowledge of the entire universe. Angas are Jainist texts that contain discourses of Tirthankaras and are total \[12\] in number. They form the basis of Svetambara Jain Agamas.
So, the correct answer is Option C.:

Note: Purvas and Angas forms an important part of the religious literature of the religion of Jainism. They mainly contain the discourses and teachings preached by all the Tirthankaras. There are total \[14\] Purvas and \[12\] Angas in Jainism.