RAS question
Mahavira attained Kaivalya (enlightenment) at:
Correct answer: (D) Jrimbhikagrama (near Jambhikagrama).
Mahavira attained Kaivalya, or Kevala-Jnana, at Jrimbhikagrama on the bank of the Rijupalika river, under a Sala tree, after twelve years of severe penance.
Explanation
Jrimbhikagrama is the correct answer because Mahavira attained Kaivalya there, whereas his birth and Nirvana are associated with other places. After twelve years of severe austerities, at the age of 42, he entered pure meditation on a stone slab under a Sala tree in the Manohara forest, on the bank of the Rijukula river near the village of Jrmbhaka or Jrmbhika in Magadha, and attained Kevala-Jnana, meaning omniscience or all-knowledge. This location is also described as Jrimbhikagrama on the bank of the Rijupalika river. Pavapuri marks a different event: his Nirvana at the age of 72.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Pavapuri is linked with Mahavira's Nirvana at the age of 72, so it cannot be the place where he attained Kaivalya after twelve years of penance.
- (B) Vaishali, specifically Kundagram, is identified with Mahavira's birth, whereas the enlightenment event took place at Jrimbhikagrama.
- (C) Rajagriha was the capital of Magadha, but Mahavira attained enlightenment near the village of Jrmbhaka or Jrmbhika, not at Rajagriha.
Concept
This question tests the standard Ancient Indian History association between the life events of Jain Tirthankaras and their locations. RAS often asks such location-based Jainism questions because a birthplace, an enlightenment site and a Nirvana site are easy to confuse.