Jains all over India feel that Jainism is not only the oldest but their first Tirthankara Adinatha lived millions of years ago… at a time when human form had not yet evolved properly. The entire history of mankind is not more than 10,000 ~12,000 years old when came Rig Veda, the oldest and the earliest manifestation of God on mother earth. Rig Veda contains first words of God Almighty on mother earth invoked by Rishis in yester era. This became possible when brain of some Rishis evolved to that stage.
Born in a Jain family, I did not believe in unmindful ramblings of elders, priests… unless proved otherwise. No matter how many times I enquired about timeline of Tirthankaras, all were silent on the issue. Just going by the book (bookish knowledge) does not mean anything. In present times we do not fight our enemy with bows and arrows. We have to interpret sacred scriptures in light of present advancements in science, cultural and social values.
Being a Jain does not mean believing in values of Jainism blindfolded. The gist of teachings of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita could never be duplicated on mother earth. They were unparalleled, and would always remain so. Nothing in scriptures of Jainism, Buddhism or Islamic Dharma could beat the same. In present times for reaching stage of kaivalya jnana… our indulgence in teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita was necessitated. None could reach God via scriptures of Jainism alone.
If Jainism says kaivalya jnana can be achieved through their path then how many followers of Jainism reached stage of kaivalya jnana after advent of Mahavira (24th Tirthankara of Jainism, preceptor)? The standard statement of followers of Jainism in present times was none could reach stage of kaivalya jnana in the present Kali Yuga. It was only possible when we went to Videha Kshetra. If we ask them where existed Videha Kshetra, they appeared blank.
After advent of Mahavira, not one but many in Hinduism reached stage of enlightenment (kaivalya jnana) through path of jnana yoga (absolute wisdom) detailed in Bhagavad Gita.
From six years of age I stopped following Scriptures of Jainism. Whatever was stated by elders, priests was simply a pretence prompted by ignorance within.
I indulged in Samaysaar (the most revered scripture of Jainism) but gained nothing out of it. The moment I started indulgence in teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita my journey of spirituality expedited manifold. Duplicating path taken by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana, I started following path of contemplation, self enquiry, logical reasoning to reach God in present life!25 years of yoga meditation I finally reached god, realized self in the wee hours of third of August 1993 at 37 years of age.
By the above statement I am not belittling my religion Jainism in any way. I have always worked with an open mind, open heart all the time. All religions are dear to me equally. I spent lot of time with preachers of all religions including Maulvi‘s, Fathers in churches and respectable dignitaries of different religions. Whatever little I could gather from each I humbly accepted it. All my life I never criticized one. I always took the best, the good and left the junk.
Many in Jainism say that Shiva in Hinduism represents our first Tirthankara Adinatha. This is meaningless. Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna both these entities were symbolic, representing our soul atman, the consciousness within. The moment human beings reached stage of enlightenment and finally salvation moksha… one practically becomes a Lord Krishna or Shiva. The entity of Lord Krishna or Shiva means a pure soul atman in all its glory. This concept can only be visualized through path of contemplation, logical reasoning never otherwise.
From scriptural point of view, Hinduism religion is the oldest, best and the foremost of all religions existing on mother earth. The teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads (independent treatises) just could not be paralleled.
By: Vijay Kumar “Atma Jnani”… The Man who Realized God in 1993 – (Ref 150928)
Bhagavad Gita Study Circle: a meeting point for people from all walks of life interested in knowing anything relating to spirituality, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and on a broad platform… life!
Subscribe Weekly Newsletter “Spiritual Secrets Unveiled”
Whats more… it is free. You would love you did!