Jainism is a purely spiritual faith; not restricted to any particular caste. People from different castes have followed Jainism for world peace and betterment of the Self. The injustice of casteism was sought to be done away with and even non-Jains were given the right to embrace the way of Jainism.

From Time Eternal to Eternity

Through the ages, Jainism has seen its share of ups and downs, but in all eras and aeons, the Jain religion and Acharyas have been distinguished by one underlying principle – Never compromise basic Tenets (Mool Siddhantas) and pure conduct (Shudh Aacharan). Every cycle of the Ages has Twenty Four Tirthankaras, Enlightened Ones, who show the path to Moksha before themselves attaining it. They are also known as “Jinendra” or “Jin”, meaning those who have overcome all weaknesses, conquered all desires, have no attachments left with anyone or anything, and are totally detached.

The followers of the principles enunciated by such Jinendras are known as Jains. The five main tenets or MahaVrat of the faith include:

Ahimsa: Non-violence toward all, in action and in thoughts

Satya: Eternal Truth, recognition of the self

Achoreeya: Vow of non-stealing in action, thought and/or speech, nor asking others to nor condoning

Brahamcharya: Celibacy in action and mind 

Aparigraha: Minimum or nil possessions, only enough and necessary to sustain the body on its path to eternal rest.

Sri Rishabhnath Bhagwan, first Tirthankara of the current Chaubisi (twenty four), re-established Jainism in the current Yuga for the upliftment of the masses, after conquering /vanquishing all sensual experiences (indriya) and resolving all worldly and/or spiritual conflicts.

In the city of Ayodhya, created by Indra in the Satyuga, on Chaita Krishna Navmi, Raja Nabhirai and his wife Marudevi were blessed with the birth of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhnath. During his domestic life (grahhasth awastha), he had one hundred sons and two daughters. The eldest, named Bharata (the first Bharata of the Satyuga), conquered and united the regions and became the first Chakravarti raja and Jain tradition holds that it is from his name that the country derives the name of Bharatvarsh.

We may mention that Indian tradition recognises two other eminent Bharatas. The second Bharata was born in the Tretayuga as the son of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya, and younger brother of Sri Rama. The third Bharata was born in the Dwaparyuga as the son of Shakuntala and King Dushyant.

During his reign as King, Rishabhnath taught people the value of hard work.  “Krishi karo aur Rishi bano”, cultivate the land and live like an ascetic. He also taught them the values of defence, learning, arts and crafts and commerce, et al, to lead a peaceful life.

Later, after renouncing his kingdom and all worldly possessions, retaining not even a shred of a thread, Rishabhnath in Digambar Awastha (sky-clad), undertook sadhana (deep meditation) for a thousand years on Kailash Parbat, after which he attained kewalgyan (enlightenment). Then, after enunciating the path to Moksha to all, he himself attained Moksha and attained the Siddha stage.

In the dynasty of Rishabhnath, after millions of years, the 24th Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavira, was born 2,600 years ago, and is the current Sashan Nayak (reigning preceptor of the rule of dharma). He taught the concepts of “Jeeo aur jeenay do” (live and let live) and “Ahimsa Parmo Dharam” (non-violence is the supreme dharma). 

Today, 22nd March 2017, the Jain Samaj is celebrating Chaita Krishna Navmi, the Birth Kalyanak day of its First Tirthankara, Rishabhnath, as Viswa Jain Dhawaj Diwas (the International Jain Flag Day). The Jain Flag is a symbol of the Unity and Oneness of the Jain Samaj, having been adopted by all sects, Digambar or Swetambar, and has a huge significance and meaning for the community.

The Jain Flag is a symbol of the Unity and Oneness of the Jain Samaj, having been adopted by all sections, Digambar or Swetambar, and has a huge significance and meaning for the community. Today, 22nd March 2017, the Jain Samaj is celebrating Chaita Krishna Navmi, the Birth Kalyanak day of its First Tirthankara, Rishabhnath, as Viswa Jain Dhawaj Diwas (the International Jain Flag Day).

The Jain Flag is rectangular in shape with a ratio of 3 by 2 and has five consecutive horizontal bands: Red, Yellow, White, Green and Dark Blue (or Black), the white being twice the width of other colours. In the centre on the White band is a Swastik with three Dots above it and a Crescent and Dot on top, in Orange.

The colours used in the Flag are significant and represent the Complexion hues of the 24 Tirthankaras of the current Choubisi and also represent the Panch Parmesthi. Thus, they represent:

Red: Padamprabhu 6th, Vasupujya 12th

White: Chandraprabhu 8th, Pushpdanth Bhagwan 9th

Green: Mallinath 19th, Parshnath Bhagwan 23rd

Dark Blue: Munisuvrathnath 20th, Neminath 22nd

Yellow (Golden): Rest of the 16

The Panch Parmesthi are represented as:

White: Arihant, the Enlightened One, who has conquered the four Karmas and is pure of heart

Red: Siddha, who has attained Moksha having conquered and vanquished all eight Karmas

Yellow (Golden): Acharya, the Spiritual Leaders

Green: Upadhyaya, the Spiritual Teachers of the Acharyas

Dark Blue: Sadhu, Muni Maharaj, who are free of all worldly possessions on the road to self-attainment.

The benefits and significance of the five colours represent:

White:  Embodiment of Peace

Red: Purveyor of wellness, signifies Kalyan

Yellow (Golden): Abundance of worldly goods

Green: Freedom from all kinds of fears

Dark Blue: Victory over all Virtues and Vices.

The Swastik: the four arms of the Swastik represent the four stages (Gati) of the soul, namely, Manushya (human), Deva (inhabitants of one of the seven heavens), Tiryanch (small insect, germs, vegetation, etc.), and Narki (inhabitants of any of the seven Hells). The three Dots represent the Three Gems (Ratnatreya or tenets) of Jainism, namely, Samyak Darshan, Samyak Gyan and Samyak Charitra – “Samyak’ meaning Rightful way. In other words, Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. By applying these three principles in their lives, human beings can rid themselves of the bondages of Karma and be released from the endless the cycle of birth and rebirth.

The Crescent above the Ratnetreya represents the Siddhshila, a place beyond Hell, Earth, Universe and Heaven - where the souls who are liberated from the cycle of births and deaths reside eternally in Supreme Bliss.

The author is a chartered accountant