Tirthankaras: 24
Tri-Ratna: 3 Jewels
Panch Mahavrata: 5 Vows
Mahavira: 599–527 BCE
Language: Prakrit (Ardha-Magadhi)
General Introduction
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Word Origin
Jain → Jin (Root)
Means: Victor (Jitendriya) — one who conquered senses
Saints Called
Nirgrantha
Free from bonds / ties
Presiding Deity
Tirthankara
Ford-maker / Path-finder · Total: 24
4 Key Tirthankaras — Exam Important
1st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th
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1st
Rishabhdev (Adinath)
Symbol: 🐂 Bull
Born in Ayodhya
First Tirthankara
22nd
Arishtanemi
Symbol: 🐚 Conch
Mentioned in Rig Veda
Cousin of Vasudev Krishna
23rd
Parshvanath
Symbol: 🐍 Snake Hood
Born in Varanasi
Nirvana at Sammed Shikhar
Propounded 4 Great Vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha)
24th
Mahavira Swami
Symbol: 🦁 Lion
Actual Founder of Jainism
Added 5th vow — Brahmacharya
599–527 BCE
Contemporary Religious Sects (Mahavira's Time)
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| Sect | Founder | Philosophy |
|---|---|---|
| Ajivika | Makkhali Gosala | Fatalism (Niyati) — Everything is pre-destined |
| Materialist | Ajita Kesakambalin | Ucchedavada (Annihilationism) |
| Agnostic | Sanjaya Belatthiputta | Suspension of judgment |
Mahavira Swami — Life Details
24th Tirthankara · Actual Founder of Jainism
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Timeline
599 BCE – 527 BCE
Lived 72 years
Birthplace
Kundagram, Vaishali
Bihar
Clan
Jnatrika Clan
Kshatriya
Family Details
| Relation | Name / Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Siddhartha — Head of Jnatrika clan |
| Mother | Trishala — Sister of Lichchhavi ruler Chetak |
| Wife | Yashoda |
| Daughter | Priyadarshana (Anojja) |
| Son-in-law | Jamali — First disciple |
Life Events
- Renunciation: Left household at age 30
- Enlightenment (Kaivalya): After 12 years of penance at Jrimbhikagrama (banks of Rijupalika river)
- Nirvana (Death): At Pavapuri (near Rajgir), Bihar at age 72 — 527 BCE
Royal Patrons / Followers
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| King / Ruler | Connection |
|---|---|
| Chandragupta Maurya | Most prominent Jain Emperor · Accompanied Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola · Performed Sallekhana |
| Bimbisara | Contemporary of Mahavira · Called Shrenika |
| Kharavela | King of Kalinga |
| Amoghavarsha | Rashtrakuta Ruler |
⚠ Note: Bindusara is associated with the
Ajivika sect — NOT Jainism!
Tri-Ratna — Three Jewels
Path to Moksha
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Jewel 1
Samyak Gyan
Right Knowledge
Jewel 2
Samyak Darshan
Right Faith
Jewel 3
Samyak Charitra
Right Conduct
Panch Mahavrata — 5 Great Vows
4 by Parshvanath + 1 by Mahavira
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| Vow | Meaning | Introduced By |
|---|---|---|
| Ahimsa | Non-violence | Parshvanath23rd |
| Satya | Truthfulness | Parshvanath23rd |
| Asteya | Non-stealing | Parshvanath23rd |
| Aparigraha | Non-possession | Parshvanath23rd |
| Brahmacharya | Celibacy | Mahavira5th — Added |
Core Beliefs
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- Strong belief in Rebirth and Karma
- No acceptance of God or Vedas
- Strict Ahimsa — Agriculture & War forbidden for monks
- Syadvada / Anekantavada — Theory of Relativity ("Maybe" philosophy)
Major Jain Councils (Sangeeti)
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First Council
Place: Pataliputra, Bihar
President: Sthulabhadra
Year: 300 BCE
Result: Compilation of 12 Angas · Great Split → Digambara & Shwetambara
Second Council
Place: Vallabhi, Gujarat
President: Devardhi Kshamashraman
Year: 512 CE
Result: Final compilation & sequencing of 12 Angas + 12 Upangas
The Great Split — Digambara vs Shwetambara
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⬜ Shwetambara (White-Clad)
Leader: Sthulabhadra
Region: Stayed in North India (Magadha)
Practice: Wore White Clothes
Belief: Women CAN attain
Moksha
🌌 Digambara (Sky-Clad)
Leader: Bhadrabahu
Region: Migrated to South India (Karnataka)
Practice: Did NOT wear clothes (Naked)
Key Event: Chandragupta Maurya accompanied Bhadrabahu to Shravanabelagola → performed Sallekhana (death by
fasting)
Jain Literature (Agama)
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Language
Prakrit
Primarily Ardha-Magadhi
Structure
12 Angas + 12 Upangas + 10 Prakirnakas + 6 Cheda Sutras + 4 Moola Sutras
Important Texts
| Text | Author / Details | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Kalpa Sutra | Bhadrabahu | Biographies of Tirthankaras (in Sanskrit) |
| Bhagavati Sutra | — | Life of Mahavira + List of 16 Mahajanapadas |
| Acharanga Sutra | — | Rules of conduct for Jain monks |
| Parishishtaparvan | Hemchandra Suri | — |
Jain Caves
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| Cave | Location | Built By |
|---|---|---|
| Hathigumpha Caves | Odisha | King Kharavela |
| Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves | Odisha | — |
Jain Temples
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| Temple | Location | Built By |
|---|---|---|
| Dilwara Jain Temple | Mount Abu, Rajasthan | Vimal Shah |
| Luna Vasahi Temple | — | Vastupal & Tejpal |
| Pattadakal Jain Temple | — | Rashtrakuta ruler (Amoghavarsha I) |
Gommateshwara (Bahubali) Statue
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Location
Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Builder
Chamundaraya
Minister of Ganga Dynasty
Tirthankaras & Their Symbols
Exam direct match questions
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1stRishabhdev🐂 Bull
2ndAjitnath🐘 Elephant
3rdSambhavnath🐴 Horse
7thSuparshvanath卐 Swastika
19thMallinath🏺 Pitcher
21stNaminatha🪷 Blue Lotus
22ndArishtanemi🐚 Conch
23rdParshvanath🐍 Snake Hood
24thMahavira🦁 Lion
⚠ TRAP 01 — Founder vs Propagator
Mahavira = Actual Founder / Propagator of Jainism (24th Tirthankara)
Parshvanath = 23rd Tirthankara — gave 4 vows but did NOT found Jainism
"Jainism ke Sansthapak" puchha jaaye → Mahavira
Parshvanath = 23rd Tirthankara — gave 4 vows but did NOT found Jainism
"Jainism ke Sansthapak" puchha jaaye → Mahavira
⚠ TRAP 02 — 4 Vows vs 5 Vows
Parshvanath gave 4 vows: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha
Mahavira ADDED the 5th: Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
Exam mein "5th vow kiska addition tha?" → Mahavira
Mahavira ADDED the 5th: Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
Exam mein "5th vow kiska addition tha?" → Mahavira
⚠ TRAP 03 — Digambara vs Shwetambara
Shwetambara = White clothes · Women CAN attain Moksha · North India
Digambara = No clothes (Sky-clad) · South India (Karnataka)
Chandragupta Maurya → Digambara (went with Bhadrabahu to South)
Sthulabhadra → Shwetambara (stayed in North)
Digambara = No clothes (Sky-clad) · South India (Karnataka)
Chandragupta Maurya → Digambara (went with Bhadrabahu to South)
Sthulabhadra → Shwetambara (stayed in North)
⚠ TRAP 04 — Bindusara vs Chandragupta
Chandragupta Maurya = Jain (most prominent Jain emperor, Sallekhana)
Bindusara = Ajivika sect (NOT Jain!)
Ye ek common confusion hai — dono Maurya rulers hain!
Bindusara = Ajivika sect (NOT Jain!)
Ye ek common confusion hai — dono Maurya rulers hain!
⚠ TRAP 05 — Council Locations
1st Jain Council = Pataliputra (Bihar) · 300 BCE · Sthulabhadra
2nd Jain Council = Vallabhi (Gujarat) · 512 CE · Devardhi Kshamashraman
Buddhist vs Jain council locations confuse karte hain — Vallabhi = JAIN (Gujarat)
2nd Jain Council = Vallabhi (Gujarat) · 512 CE · Devardhi Kshamashraman
Buddhist vs Jain council locations confuse karte hain — Vallabhi = JAIN (Gujarat)
⚠ TRAP 06 — Mahavira's Key Places
Born: Kundagram, Vaishali (Bihar)
Enlightenment: Jrimbhikagrama (Rijupalika river bank)
Nirvana: Pavapuri, near Rajgir (Bihar)
Teen alag jagah hain — teen alag questions aate hain!
Enlightenment: Jrimbhikagrama (Rijupalika river bank)
Nirvana: Pavapuri, near Rajgir (Bihar)
Teen alag jagah hain — teen alag questions aate hain!
⚠ TRAP 07 — Bimbisara's Jain Name
Bimbisara = Called "Shrenika" in Jain texts
He was contemporary of Mahavira.
"Shrenika" puchha jaaye to answer = Bimbisara
He was contemporary of Mahavira.
"Shrenika" puchha jaaye to answer = Bimbisara
⚠ TRAP 08 — Tirthankara Symbols
Mahavira = Lion (NOT bull — that's Rishabhdev)
Parshvanath = Snake Hood
Arishtanemi = Conch (22nd — cousin of Krishna)
Suparshvanath (7th) = Swastika
Parshvanath = Snake Hood
Arishtanemi = Conch (22nd — cousin of Krishna)
Suparshvanath (7th) = Swastika
Jin meaning?
Victor (one who conquered senses)
Jain saints called?
Nirgrantha
Free from bonds
Total Tirthankaras?
24
1st Tirthankara?
Rishabhdev (Adinath)
Symbol: Bull · Born: Ayodhya
22nd Tirthankara?
Arishtanemi
Symbol: Conch · Cousin of Krishna
23rd Tirthankara?
Parshvanath
Symbol: Snake · Born: Varanasi
24th Tirthankara?
Mahavira Swami
Symbol: Lion · Actual Founder
Mahavira's lifespan?
599–527 BCE (72 years)
Mahavira born at?
Kundagram, Vaishali (Bihar)
Mahavira's clan?
Jnatrika Clan (Kshatriya)
Mahavira's father?
Siddhartha
Mahavira's mother?
Trishala
Sister of Chetak (Lichchhavi)
Mahavira's first disciple?
Jamali (son-in-law)
Mahavira left home at age?
30
Mahavira's enlightenment place?
Jrimbhikagrama
Rijupalika river · After 12 years penance
Mahavira's Nirvana place?
Pavapuri (near Rajgir, Bihar)
Tri-Ratna (3 Jewels)?
Right Knowledge, Faith, Conduct
5th vow added by?
Mahavira
Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
4 vows by Parshvanath?
Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha
Jain philosophy of "Maybe"?
Syadvada / Anekantavada
Ajivika sect founder?
Makkhali Gosala
Fatalism / Niyati
1st Jain Council — place?
Pataliputra, Bihar
300 BCE · Sthulabhadra
2nd Jain Council — place?
Vallabhi, Gujarat
512 CE · Devardhi Kshamashraman
Shwetambara leader?
Sthulabhadra (North India)
Digambara leader?
Bhadrabahu (South India)
Women can attain Moksha — which sect?
Shwetambara
Sallekhana performed by?
Chandragupta Maurya
At Shravanabelagola
Bimbisara's Jain name?
Shrenika
Kalpa Sutra — author?
Bhadrabahu
16 Mahajanapadas — Jain text?
Bhagavati Sutra
Dilwara Temple — built by?
Vimal Shah
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Gommateshwara statue — built by?
Chamundaraya
Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Hathigumpha Caves — built by?
King Kharavela (Odisha)
Bindusara associated with?
Ajivika sect (NOT Jainism)
Jain literature language?
Prakrit (Ardha-Magadhi)