JAINISM FOR GOVT EXAM:

JAINISM:
[00:00:00] 
Introduction & Overview of Jainism for UPSC Preparation 

• UPSC Jainism questions are notably challenging, often including unfamiliar options that confuse candidates. 
• This is a comprehensive video covering the entire syllabus of Jainism in detail, including literature, sects (Shwetambar, Digambar), core principles, Mahavir's life, and Jainism's rise, explained with philosophical context. [00:00:29]  Historical Context: Social Structure in Late Vedic Period 
• Late Vedic society was divided into four varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. 
• Birth determined social class and profession:   - Brahmins: Priests and scholars, privileged, exempt from taxes and punishments, received offerings (dakshina).   - Kshatriyas: Warriors and rulers, responsible for territorial expansion and governance, collected taxes from subjects.   - Vaishyas: Engaged in agriculture, cattle rearing, and trade; were taxpayers to Kshatriyas.   - Shudras: Servants and laborers, including domestic and agricultural slaves, and daily wage laborers. 
• Intellectual privileges: Brahmins could read and teach the Vedas; Kshatriyas and Vaishyas could read Vedas; Shudras were barred from Vedic knowledge and participation. [00:02:41]  Social Tensions & Causes for New Religious Sects 
• Social inequality created tension:   - Shudras were unhappy as they remained socially subjugated regardless of talent or effort.   - Vaishyas contributed economically but lacked social status.   - Kshatriyas resented Brahmin dominance despite their sacrifices in war and governance. 
• Around 6th century BCE, Kshatriyas protested birth-based superiority and challenged Brahmin authority. 
• By this time, around 62 religious sects had emerged, prominently Buddhism and Jainism, both founded by Kshatriyas, challenging Brahminical supremacy. [00:04:53]  Additional Causes for the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism 
• Second cause: Vedic rituals like cattle sacrifice conflicted with emerging agricultural economy.   - Iron tools (ploughs, bulls) revolutionized agriculture but animal killing became objectionable.   - The new belief emerged that to stabilize agriculture, cattle sacrifice and animal killing must stop. 
• Third cause: Economic growth of Vaishyas due to trade and agriculture increased wealth but not social status, motivating support for new religious movements. [00:07:06]  Jainism's Origins & Tirthankaras 
• Followers of Jainism are called Jainas. 
• Mahavir is the most important religious teacher, known as the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher who guides souls to salvation). 
• There were 23 Tirthankaras before Mahavir. The first was Rishabhdev, and the last was Mahavir. 
• Other notable Tirthankaras: Ajit, Nemi, Parshvanath (23rd before Mahavir). Names of Rishabhdev, Parshvanath, and Nemi appear in the Yajurveda. 
• Birthplaces:   - Rishabhdev - Ayodhya   - Parshvanath - Banaras (from royal family who renounced worldly life)   - Mahavir - Kundalgram near Vaishali, Northern Bihar [00:08:26]  Life of Mahavir (Vardhaman) 
• Born in 540 BCE to Kshatriya clan heads: father Siddhartha (Jantrika clan chief), mother Trishala (sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetak). 
• Lichchhavi ruled Mithila region (parts of Bihar and Nepal). 
• Family had connections with Magadh royal family (King Bimbisara). 
• Mahavir married Yashoda, had a daughter Anja. 
• In 510 BCE (age 30), he renounced royal life to become an ascetic. 
• Spent about 12 years in intense meditation and fasting, enduring hardships. 
• Achieved Kevalya (omniscience/perfect knowledge/pure knowledge) under a Sal tree in 498 BCE. 
• Post-enlightenment followers called Nirgranthis (those free from all bonds), later known as Jains. 
• Mahavir also known as Jina, Jitendriya (one who has conquered senses), and Nirgrantha. 
• Propagated Jainism for around 30 years, gaining patronage from kings and clans due to his royal background. 
• Died in 468 BCE at age 72. [00:11:59]  Key Locations Related to Mahavir | Event | Location | Modern Equivalent | | - - - - - - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - | | Birth (540 BCE) | Kundalgram near Vaishali | Northern Bihar | | Kevalya attainment (498 BCE) | Jimbika village on banks of Rijupalika river | Jharkhand | | Death (468 BCE) | Pawapuri | Rajgir, Bihar | [00:12:37]  Core Principles (Ratnatraya or Three Jewels) of Jainism 
• Samyak Darshan (Right Faith): Unwavering belief in Mahavir's teachings and wisdom. 
• Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge): Correct understanding of reality, verified by three questions:   1. Does God exist? - Jainism answers "No."   2. Was the universe created? - Jainism answers "No," it is eternal.   3. Does every object possess a soul? - Jainism answers "Yes." 
• The soul (jiva) is the essential core of existence and knowledge in Jain philosophy. 
• The experiencer of existence and knower of knowledge is the soul, not body or mind. 
• Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct): Following five vows strictly:   1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Not harming any life.   2. Satya (Truthfulness): Not lying.   3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Not stealing.   4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): Living a moral life.   5. Aparigraha (Non-possession): Not acquiring property or attachments.
• The last vow, Brahmacharya, was added by Mahavir himself; the other four were added by his predecessors. 
• Vows practiced by ascetics are called Mahavratas, and by householders Anuvratas. [00:16:15]  Philosophical Impact of Ahimsa and Soul Doctrine on Jain Practices 
• Since every object has a soul and harming it is forbidden, Jain food rules are very strict. 
• Consciousness scale (sentience) determines what can be consumed:   - Animals (high consciousness) are not eaten.   - Plants that cannot regenerate parts (non-multicellular) are allowed.   - Multicellular plants like potatoes and onions, which can regenerate, are forbidden. [00:18:32]  Permissible Professions 
• Agriculture is prohibited as a profession due to harm caused to earthworms and other small life forms. 
• Trade is allowed and encouraged as it causes less harm. [00:19:03]  Syadvada (Doctrine of Conditional Truth) 
• Jainism holds that absolute truth is unattainable; all judgments are conditional and context-dependent. 
• The Sanskrit term "Syad" means "maybe," reflecting this principle of relativity and non-absolutism. [00:19:39]  Spread of Jainism & Sangha Organization 
• Mahavir preached in Prakrit language, a vernacular, making teachings accessible to all social classes. 
• Created a Sangha (community) open to all genders and social backgrounds, consisting of:   - Munis (male ascetics)   - Aryikas/Sadhvis (female ascetics)   - Shravaks (male householders)   - Shravikas (female householders)
• At Mahavir's death, the Sangha had:   - 14,000 Munis   - 36,000 Sadhvis   - 1,559,000 Shravaks   - 38,000 Shravikas 
• Women outnumbered men in the Sangha. 
• Eleven closest disciples were called Gandharas, all from Magadh and former Brahmins, responsible for preserving and spreading Jain knowledge. [00:20:59]  Leadership and Councils After Mahavir's Death 
• Before Mahavir's death in 468 BCE, 10 of the 11 Gandharas had died; only Arya Sudharmana survived and became the first head (Thera) of the Jain Church. 
• Successive heads: Jambu (2nd), Prabhava, Samyama Bhava, Sambuddha Vijaya, and Bhadrabahu (6th). 
• Bhadrabahu authored the Jain text Kalpasutra. 
• Around 200 years later, a severe famine in the Ganga valley caused migration of Bhadrabahu and followers to southern India (Shravanabelagola in Karnataka). 
• Those who stayed in Magadh followed the leadership of Sthulabahu. 
• Return migration led to a split due to differences in customs and practices, especially regarding clothing and the vow of Aparigraha (non-possession). 
• To reconcile, a First Jain Council was held in 3rd century BCE at Pataliputra (modern Patna) under Sthulabahu, compiling and standardizing teachings into 12 scriptures called Angas. 
• Bhadrabahu and followers boycotted the council, leading to sectarian division into:   - Shwetambar ("white-clad") - wore white clothes   - Digambar ("sky-clad") - practiced naked asceticism, considering sky as their garment. [00:26:04]  Jainism Timeline Summary | Year (BCE/CE) | Event | | - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -| | 540 BCE | Mahavir born | | 498 BCE | Achieved Kevalya (omniscience) | | 468 BCE | Mahavir died | | 3rd century BCE | First Jain Council at Pataliputra; 12 Angas compiled | | 1st century BCE | Kalinga king Kharabela patronized Jainism | | 6th century CE | Second Jain Council at Vallabhi (Gujarat), final compilation done |
• Later centuries saw patronage by South Indian dynasties such as Gangas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, and Rashtrakutas. [00:27:13]  Jain Literature: Canonical and Non-Canonical Texts 
• Jain literature collectively called Siddhanta and Agama. 
• Divided into:   - Canonical texts: Based directly on Lord Mahavir's teachings.   - Non-canonical texts: Commentaries and interpretations of canonical texts. 
• Mahavir taught in Prakrit language orally; no writings during his lifetime. 
• Knowledge preserved by 11 Gandharas, passed down to Bhadrabahu (last to have full knowledge). 
• Original 14 Prakrit texts (Purvas) partly lost due to accidents or misplacement. 
• To recover knowledge, First Council in Pataliputra compiled 12 Angas (parts) and an additional 12th Anga containing remnants of Purvas. [00:32:46]  12 Angas (Canonical Texts) 
• Considered as "limbs" of Jainism's body of knowledge. 
• Important Angas to remember:   1. Acharanga - Focuses on ethical conduct of monks/nuns, discipline, non-violence doctrine, and Mahavir's penance.   2. Sutrakritanga - Details Mahavir's life, doctrines, challenges faced by new ascetics, overcoming wrong beliefs.   3. Bhagavati Sutra - Largest Anga, in Q&A format covering ascetic conduct, mathematics, cosmology, rebirth, geography, and contemporary figures like Ajivikas. [00:37:56]  12 Upangas (Supplementary Texts) 
• Supplementary texts to Angas or cover topics not detailed in Angas. 
• Notable Upangas:   - Aupapatika Sutra (supplementary to Acharanga)   - Prjannapana (supplementary to Bhagavati Sutra)   - Raya-Pasnaja - Dialogue between king and ascetic on body-soul relationship (parallel to Buddhist Milindapanha).   - Niraya-Valisutram - Compilation of stories explaining hellish destinies of souls, reflecting Jain doctrine of multiple hells. [00:40:16]  Other Jain Text Categories | Category | Description | | - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | | Prakriyas | Specialized texts on specific topics (like PhD theses) | | Chedasutras | Six texts for ascetics detailing penance and purification of sins; not meant for laypeople | | Mulasutras | Root texts covering basic Jain teachings, mandatory for early stage ascetics; notable: Uttaradhyayana | | Individual Texts | Nandisutra (introductory auspicious text), Anuyogadvara Sutra (key to understanding Jain literature) | [00:44:14]  Tattvartha Sutra: A Unique Canonical Text 
• Accepted by both Shwetambar and Digambar sects. 
• Known as the Moksha Shastra (Scripture of Liberation). 
• Contains the famous Jain motto:   "Parasparopagraho Jivanam" - "Every soul is responsible for helping other souls." 
• Reiterates the Jain belief that every entity has a soul. [00:44:49]  Digambar Canonical Texts: Four Main Groups | Group | Content Focus | Notable Texts | | - - - - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | | Dravya Anuyoga | Philosophical works including Tattvartha Sutra and Kundakunda's writings | Tattvartha Sutra, works of Kundakunda | | Karana Anuyoga | Cosmological texts | Surya Prajnapati, Chandra Prajnapati | | Prathama Anuyoga | Hagiographies of Tirthankaras (Digambar Jain Purana) | Adi Purana, Harivamsa Purana, Trishashti Lakshana Purana | | Charana Anuyoga | Ritual texts | Mulachara, Trivarnachara by Vatakera, Ratnakara Shravachara by Samantabhadra |
• Adi Purana narrates life of Rishabhadeva (Adinath), first Tirthankara and originator of varna system (Kshatriya considered superior to Brahmin in Jainism). 
• Harivamsa Purana (8th century CE) retells stories of Kauravas, Pandavas, Krishna from Jain perspective. 
• Trishashti Lakshana Purana (9th century) includes stories of 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, and 63 significant Jain personalities. [00:49:10]  Shwetambar Charitas 
• Biographical texts of Tirthankaras and heroes, including:   - Prabhavak Charita (by Prabhachandra)   - Sthavirvali Charita and Trishashti Lakshana Purusha Charita (both by Hemachandra, 12th century CE). 
• Hemachandra was a polymath known as the "Knower of All Knowledge" of his time and called the father of Gujarati language. 
• Sthavirvali Charita includes political history of Magadh and events like Chanakya helping Chandragupta overthrow Dhanananda. [00:51:00]  Digambar Ritual Texts 
• Charana Anuyoga texts focus on rituals and conduct of monks. [00:52:43]  Non-Canonical Jain Literature 
• These include commentaries, glosses, and explanations of canonical texts, categorized as:   - Niryuktis (explanations of Jain terminology; akin to dictionaries)   - Bhashyas (comprehensive commentaries)   - Churnis (unified interpretations across multiple texts)   - Early Medieval Commentaries, Vrittis, Avachurnis (mostly in Sanskrit)
• Language:   - Prakrit and Maharashtri used in Niryuktis, Bhashyas, Churnis.   - Sanskrit used in later commentaries.   - Mixed language usage called Apabhramsa, meaning "fallen away," considered lower than Sanskrit, used for wider audience. [00:55:00]  Conclusion 
• This detailed overview covers:   - The historical-social context behind Jainism's emergence.   - Mahavir's life and teachings.   - Jainism's core philosophical principles and ethical code.   - The development of sects (Shwetambar and Digambar) and their divergences.   - Extensive Jain literature, including canonical texts, their compilations, and commentaries. 
• For further study on Indian history, polity, and economy, BKS DAV's playlists are recommended.  - - Key Insights: 
• Jainism arose as a protest against rigid social divisions and conflicts with Vedic practices. 
• It emphasizes non-violence, non-possession, and relativistic truth (Syadvada). 
• Mahavir's teachings democratized spiritual knowledge by using vernacular language and inclusive Sangha. 
• Sectarian differences led to diverse religious practices and scriptures, but both sects uphold core Jain values. 
• Jain literature is vast, complex, and divided into canonical (Angas, Upangas) and non-canonical (commentaries) texts, composed mostly in Prakrit and Sanskrit. 
• Jainism's influence extended with royal patronage across India, especially in South India during later centuries. This summary is strictly based on the provided transcript content without any additions or assumptions beyond the source.