Q67 (CDS-II/2011) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Jain doctrine and sects Answer Verified

The Jainas believe that Jainism is the outcome of the teachings of twenty four Tirthankaras. In the light of this statement which one among the following is correct of Vardhamana Mahavira ?

He was the first Tirthankara and the founder of Jainism

He was the twenty third Tirthankara, the first twenty two Tirthankaras being considered legendary

He was the last and twenty fourth Tirthankara, who was not con- sidered as the founder of the new faith but as a reformer of the existing religious sect

He was not one of the twenty four Tirthankaras

Result

Your answer: — · Correct: C

Explanation

According to Jaina tradition, Vardhamana Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the current time cycle [t1][t8]. He is not considered the founder of Jainism; rather, the religion's basic philosophy existed long before his birth [c2]. The tradition identifies Rishabha (or Rishabhanatha) as the first Tirthankara and the original founder of the sect [c1][t6]. Mahavira is viewed as a reformer and great preacher who reorganized the existing religious order into a fourfold sangha of monastics and lay followers [c1][t10]. While the first twenty-two Tirthankaras are often regarded as legendary, the twenty-third, Parshvanatha, is recognized as a historical figure who preceded Mahavira by approximately 250 years [t1][t10]. Thus, Mahavira's role was to revitalize and propagate the eternal dharma rather than originate a new faith [t2][t4].

Sources

[1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > 3.5 Jainism > p. 39
[2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 3.Beyond Worldly Pleasures The Message of Mahavira > p. 88
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthankara

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The Jainas believe that Jainism is the outcome of the teachings of twenty four Tirthankaras. In the light of this statement which one among the following is correct of Vardhamana Mahavira ?

Explanation

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Consider the following statements : 1. The Jains believed that Mahavira had twenty-three predecessors. 2. Parshvanatha was twenty-third Tirthankara. 3. Rishava was immediate successor of Mahavira. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?

Which one of the following statements about the Shvetambara Sect of Jainism is not correct?

Consider the following statements relating to Jain literature : 1. The sacred books of the Jainas are known as Siddhanta or Agama. 2. The language of the earliest Jain texts is eastern dialect of Pali known as Ardha Magadhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?