Question

Which one of the four Vedas makes a clear reference to Rishabha and Arsishtanami, the Jaina Tirthankaras?
a. Rig Veda
b. Sama Veda
c. Yajur Veda
d. Atharva Veda

Answer 1

Hint: The Jain Tirthankaras were spiritual leaders who had attained salvation or ‘moksha’. Their duty was to lead and teach others how to lead life and attain salvation. There were a total of 24 Tirthankaras in Jainism, there was no single founder, all the Tirthankaras or teachers taught something new to the followers of Jainism.

Complete answer: The Rigveda makes a clear reference to Rishabha and Arsishtanami, the Jaina Tirthankaras.
-Rishabha was the first Jain Tirthankara and Arisishtanami was the 22nd.
-A Tirthankara was an ordinary person who attained the title of Tirthankara after strict penance, meditation and abstinence, he was not considered an avatar of god rather he was an ordinary soul who had successfully attained moksha and become ‘pure’.
-The five main principles of Jainism which all followers were encouraged to practice were:-
Nonviolence, truthfulness, celibacy, non-attachment (to property, money or relationships).

Therefore, The right answer is Option A and others are incorrect.

Note: Mahavira was the 24th Tirithankar, and is one of the most well-known teachers of Jainism. Mahavira’s students recorded and compiled his teachings in the form of texts, these were called the Agamas. These texts were memorised and learned by the Jain monks because they were not allowed to own any books.