RAS question
Lord Mahavira was the _____ Tirthankara of Jainism.
Correct answer: (A) 24th.
Lord Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism.
Explanation
Lord Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism. His other name was Vardhamana, and he was born in 540 BCE at Kundagrama near Vaishali. The official NIOS History lesson states that Vardhaman Mahavira was born near Vaishali and was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of Jainism. The fixed order of Jain Tirthankaras places Mahavira last, not merely as an important figure associated with Jainism. In that order, Parshvanatha is the 23rd Tirthankara and Rishabhadeva, also called Adinatha, is the 1st.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha, so Mahavira was one place later than this position.
- (C) The 12th Tirthankara was Vasupujya, whereas Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara.
- (D) The 1st Tirthankara was Rishabhadeva, also known as Adinatha, whereas Mahavira was the 24th and last Tirthankara.
Concept
Ancient Indian religious history includes the chronological order of Jain Tirthankaras. The topic recurs in RAS because Jainism, Buddhism and other shramana traditions are core parts of the Ancient India syllabus.