Sumati Jnana

SR No.: 012067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

Page 76

Jain Tirthas of Madhya Pradesh - A Vital Tourist Product
1. Kalyanaka Kshetra
2. Nirvana Kshetra
3. Atishaya Kshetra
India is the country of many colorful religions which make it very unique on earth. Hindu (Shaiv, Vaishnav, Sakta and many other sects), Buddha, Jain, Sikkha, Christian and Islam are the important religion which flourished in different part of country. References are found in Hindu texts that the follower of Hindu religion and its sects were very keen to travel at various sacred places in search of peach and knowledge and to attain the blessings of God. In this regard, they perform their religious rituals to worship their god like take bath in the river, lakes etc. and also worship the trees at the holy places. The above-mentioned visiting places are called 'Tirthas' and the journey performed by these travelers is known as 'Tirthyatra' or pilgrimage. Hindu believes in physical cleanliness by taking bath in holy rivers and lakes at the Tirthas for the betterment of their future but in Jain tradition, the concept of Tirtha is different. In fact, Tirtha and Dharma have similar meaning in Jainism and therefore Dharma Pravartakas are known as Tirthankars. The Tirthankars are supreme in Jain philosophy. They are the founder of religious path-the real way to salvation. According to Abhidhan Rajendra Kosh, 'Teerjate Aneneti Teerthas', means 'the way one can win the life and death is Tirtha'. The philosophical meaning of Tirtha in Jainism is also found in Vedic tradition. It is said in Vedas that truth, forgiveness, control on organs, kindness, simplicity, Brahmacharya, knowledge, patience and moral conduct, these all are Tirtha. In contrast to Hindu, Jain believes in cleanliness of internal soul. The various events of Tirthankars's life were associated with different cities, mountains and hills and Jain followers accept theses sacred places as Tirtha. They divided these places into three Kshetra or sacred regions
880
Prof. C. D. Singh, Dr. Achyut Singh & Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh