Arishta Nemi Ki Aetihasikta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Arishta Nemi ki Aetihasikta" by Devendramuni Shastri, focusing on the historical existence of Lord Arishta Nemi:

The text argues for the historical existence of Lord Arishta Nemi, the 22nd Tirthankara, positioning him as a historical figure. It addresses skepticism from those with a sectarian viewpoint, highlighting that modern historians, free from communal narrowness, accept Arishta Nemi's historicity. The author draws a parallel with the acceptance of Lord Krishna as a historical figure, noting their close familial relationship: Krishna's father, Vasudeva, and Arishta Nemi's father, Samudravijaya, were brothers. Therefore, the author contends, there should be no hesitation in accepting Arishta Nemi as historical.

Evidence from Vedic Literature:

• The term 'Arishtanemi' appears four times in the Rigveda. The verse "Swasti nastakshyo Arishtanemih" (Rigveda 1.24.180.10) is cited as referring to Lord Arishta Nemi.
• Many scholars believe that the name 'Ghora Angirasa Rishi' in the Chandogya Upanishad refers to Lord Arishta Nemi. This Ghora Angirasa Rishi imparted teachings on self-sacrifice to Krishna. His "dakshina" (fee or offering) was characterized by penance, charity, straightforwardness, non-violence, and truthfulness.
• Dharmānanda Kosambi supports the view that Angirasa was another name for Lord Neminath. The term 'Ghora' itself is used in Agam literature to describe the intensity of the penance and conduct of Jain ascetics.
• The Chandogya Upanishad describes Ghora Angirasa Rishi advising Devakiputra Krishna on his deathbed to remember three statements: "You are indestructible," "You are unchangeable," and "You are the life-giver of beings." This instruction rendered Krishna content and without further need for education.
• The text compares this to the future predictions of Lord Arishta Nemi found in Jain Agams, where he consoles Krishna upon hearing about the destruction of Dwarka and his own death.
• Lord Arishta Nemi is also referred to as 'Tarkya Arishtanemi' in the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda, with a specific Rigvedic verse mentioning him. Scholars interpret this usage as referring to Lord Arishta Nemi.

Evidence from the Mahabharata:

• The Mahabharata uses the word 'Tarkya,' which is considered another name for Lord Arishta Nemi.
• The teachings given by Arishta Nemi to King Sagara about the path to liberation strongly resemble Jain tenets on moksha, suggesting they are derived from Jain Agamic descriptions. Sagara is advised that true happiness lies in liberation, and those engrossed in acquiring wealth and attached to children and animals are foolish and lack true knowledge. Attachment to sensual pleasures and an agitated mind make liberation difficult.
• The author argues that the Vedic people of Sagara's time did not believe in moksha, making this teaching unlikely to have originated from a Vedic sage and pointing to its connection with Shramana culture.
• The Yajurveda mentions dedicating aiti (offerings) to the omniscient Neminath, who reveals the adhyātmayajna (spiritual sacrifice), gives true teachings to all beings, and strengthens their souls.
• Dr. Radhakrishnan notes the mention of three Tirthankaras—Rishabha, Ajitnath, and Arishta Nemi—in the Yajurveda.

Evidence from Puranic Literature:

• The Skanda Purana (Prabhasa Khanda) describes Vamana performing penance in the latter part of his life, which led to a vision of Shiva. Shiva appeared dark-complexioned, unclothed, and in a lotus posture. Vamana named him Neminath, stating that this Neminath would destroy all sins in the current Kali Yuga and that his sight and touch yield the fruit of millions of sacrifices.
• The Prabhasa Purana also praises Arishta Nemi.
• In the Vishnu Sahasranama within the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, the phrase 'Shuraḥ Shoirijneshwaraḥ' is used in two places. The text proposes that 'Shuraḥ Shoirijaneshwarah' is a more logical reading, meaning Arishta Nemi.
• The word 'Shori' is used for Krishna. Shauripur, near modern-day Bateshwar in Agra district, was the ancient capital of the Yadavas. They migrated to Dwarka due to the fear of Jarasandha. Since Lord Arishta Nemi was born in Shauripur, the epithet 'Shori' is applicable to him. The author finds the connection of 'Shori' to the Yadavas in Mahabharata noteworthy because Vedic tradition doesn't link Shauripur with the Yadavas.

Influence and Recognition by Other Traditions:

• Lord Arishta Nemi's name became so popular due to his propagation of non-violence that it appears in the list of Lord Buddha's names in the Lankavatara Sutra. The text mentions that just as a single object has many names, Buddha has innumerable names, including Tathagata, Svayambhu, Natha, Vinayaka, Parinayaka, Buddha, Rishi, Vrishabha, Brahmana, Vishnu, Ishvara, Pradhana, Kapila, Bhaskara, Arishta Nemi, Rama, Vyasa, Shuka, Indra, Bali, Varuna, etc.

From the Historians' Perspective:

• The Nandi Sutra mentions 'Rishi-Bhashitam' (words of sages), which includes 45 chapters expounded by 45 Pratyeka Buddhas. Among these, twenty Pratyeka Buddhas lived during the time of Lord Arishta Nemi. Their names are listed, and the text asserts that the chapters they propounded are independent proof of Arishta Nemi's existence.
• Renowned historian Dr. Ray Chowdhury, in his "Ancient History of Vaishnavism," identifies Lord Arishta Nemi (Neminath) as Krishna's cousin.
• P.C. Diwan suggests an 84,000-year gap between Neminath and Parshvanath according to Jain texts, a detail absent in Hindu Puranas. He also notes that Hindu Purana writers only included what was necessary to establish Krishna's divinity and that Jain texts contain historical facts not found in Bhagavata literature.
• Colonel Todd believes that four great wise men existed in ancient times, the first being Adinath and the second Neminath. He equates Neminath with Odin of Scandinavia and Fo of China.
• Scholars like Dr. Nagendra Nath Basu, Dr. Fuhrer, Professor Barnett, Mr. Karva, Dr. Haridatta, and Dr. Prananath Vidyalankar clearly consider Lord Arishta Nemi to be an influential figure and have no objection to accepting him as a historical person.

Conclusion:

The author concludes that despite explicit mentions in Vedic texts, commentators have altered the meanings due to sectarian bias. Therefore, it is essential to reflect on these texts with a neutral perspective. Such contemplation will reveal, as clearly as sunlight, that Lord Arishta Nemi was indeed a historical figure.