Teachings of Jainism
After understanding the life of Mahavira, it is now important to grasp the essence of Jain philosophy — what it stands for, how it views the world, and how it differs from the dominant Brahmanical (Vedic) tradition.
🔥 A Challenge to Vedic Orthodoxy
- Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas, which were considered sacred in the Brahmanical tradition.
- It also criticised ritualism, especially those involving animal sacrifice (yajna), arguing that they were meaningless acts and could not lead to liberation.
✅ This was a revolutionary stand at a time when Vedic rituals were monopolized by Brahmins and heavily tied to hierarchy and external rites.
🧘♂️ Recognition of the Soul and the Gods
- Jainism believed in the existence of jiva (soul) — but viewed it very differently from other schools.
- It acknowledged the existence of gods, but interestingly, they were placed lower than a Jina (a conqueror of passions).
🎯 For Jainism, liberation (moksha) does not depend on divine grace but on personal effort, discipline, and renunciation.
⚖️ Approach to Varna: Neither Acceptance nor Rejection
- Jainism did not endorse the varna system, but it also didn’t oppose it outright.
- It allowed people of all varnas to join the Jain fold.
- According to Mahavira, one’s varna in this birth is based on karma — that is, the sins or virtues accumulated in previous births.
📌 This karma-based reinterpretation of caste softened its rigidity, and opened a spiritual path to all.
🗣️ Language of the People: Prakrit, Not Sanskrit
- One of the most powerful aspects of Jainism was its use of Prakrit — the common language of the people — instead of Sanskrit.
- This made its teachings accessible and popular.
- Different regions used regional forms of Prakrit. For example, in Magadha, it was known as Magadhi Prakrit.
🔍 This linguistic choice reflects Jainism’s democratic approach — knowledge for everyone, not just for elites.
🌾 Austerity and Renunciation: Core Values
- Mahavira preached intense asceticism and total renunciation.
- He even asked monks to abandon clothing — a stricter stance than Parshvanatha, who allowed minimal clothing.
🧵 This difference would later give rise to two sects:
→ Digambaras (“sky-clad”) — stricter followers of Mahavira
→ Svetambaras (“white-clad”) — trace their lineage to Parshvanatha
🕊️ Ahimsa (Non-Violence): The Heart of Jainism
- Ahimsa, or non-injury, is not just a moral value — it is the central pillar of Jain thought.
- Jainism believed that everything in the universe is alive — not just humans or animals, but plants, water, fire, stones, even air — because all possess soul (jiva).
⚠️ So any act of violence, even unintentional, adds to karma and binds the soul further into samsara (the cycle of birth and death).
❌ Prohibited Professions
- Because even agriculture involves violence (killing of insects), Jain monks and many followers were discouraged from farming.1
- War, obviously, was completely banned.
- Therefore, many Jains gradually moved into trade and commerce, where non-violence was easier to practice.
💎 The Triratna (Three Jewels) of Jainism
To attain liberation (moksha), one has to follow the Three Jewels (Triratna):
- Samyak Darshana – Right Faith
- Samyak Jnana – Right Knowledge
- Samyak Charitra – Right Conduct
✅ These are not sequential but simultaneous requirements. Only when all three are present, can one begin the journey toward Kaivalya (omniscience).
🧘♂️ Monastic Life: A Prerequisite for Salvation
- According to Jainism, karma binds the soul, and only through asceticism and penance can the soul break this bondage.
- Therefore, renunciation — becoming a monk or nun — was seen as essential.
- A householder (grihastha) could live ethically, but could not achieve final liberation.
👣 Life of Jain Monks and Nuns
- They had to:
- Live extremely simple lives
- Beg for food (alms)
- Walk only during daylight, watching every step to avoid harming even the smallest life forms
- They were required to follow the five great vows (Mahavratas):
| Sanskrit Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ahimsa | Non-violence |
| Satya | Truthfulness |
| Asteya | Non-stealing |
| Aparigraha | Non-possession (non-attachment) |
| Brahmacharya | Celibacy (added by Mahavira) |
📌 Parshvanatha prescribed only the first four. It was Mahavira who introduced Brahmacharya (celibacy) as the fifth and final vow.
🗻 A Glimpse into Parshvanatha’s Legacy
Let’s also understand a bit more about Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara:
- Born in Kashi (Varanasi)2 — a key Mahajanapada in the 6th century BCE.
- Achieved Kaivalya (supreme knowledge) at Ashrampad Udyan near Varanasi.
- Attained Parinirvana at Mount Sammed Shikhar (on today’s Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand).
🌄 Even today, Mount Sammed Shikharji is one of the holiest Jain pilgrimage sites.
This topic is part of the complete Ancient and Medieval History Notes for UPSC. Explore the full subject coverage here.
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