Editor-in-Chief: Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

Vol.2      Issue 9

JANUARY 2004

Editorial

THE CONCEPT OF SHIVA AND RISHABA

           Rishaba the 1st Tirthankara of Jainism is many times being adorned with Shiva. The attainment of nirvan i.e. eternal life of beauty and bliss, is equated with Shiva Gathi. Hence Rishaba is connoted as Shiva; also Rishaba was accepted with veneration as yogi amongst Aryan inhabitants of India. The Aryan inhabitants included Ikswakus and Dravids. Many orthodox Brahmins regard Shiva as non Vedic God. Instead they called him Rishab, Rudra and Mahadeva. The interrelation of mind, body and speech was interpreted in Shiva purana as well as in Rigveda. Rishaba is also equalled with Shankara. Sri Jinasenacharya and also Jayasenacharya have paid their tribute to Jina, the conquerer as Shiva. Jina is Arhat. Arhat is considered as mystic form of Shiva.

Shivaratri and Jinaratri are observed by Shaivities and Jains simultaneously on the day when Rishaba attained nirvana.

Many sculptors of these two deities resemble each other, for example, the image of Yogishwarashiva resembles Rishaba Jina (except the sacred thread and Karnakundalas) in Bijawad in Madhya Pradesh. The term  Digambara is used to Jaina Tirthankaras and also to Lord Shiva. The introduction of Kapalika system in South India changed the picture of Shaivism. Both gods are the harbingers of light leading to right path. Rishaba is Shramana where as Shiva is Sharana. Rishaba was the first genius who laid the foundation of human civilization. They are the benefactors of mankind. They remove miseries of the world.

The Shramana tradition bore its root in Rishaba's teachings. The Shramanas teach dignity of man and equality of all. Furthermore they preached the alter of ahimsa and non violence. The Shramanas and Shravanas opened the vistas of realisation of atma the soul and body. These together are put as darshana. The Jaina philosophical thought found its light through their teachings. They believed in Karmavada. Karma is the basic presupposition of Indian thought and mind. The Karma theory has found its due place in the conceptual modality of the two religions. Karma is the synthesis of determination and free will. It has its complexity in structure and function. The causes in happiness and misery are found to lie within oneself. Karma is an important factor which explains many oddities in life. This conceptual view of the two prominent deities are not found in Vedic literature. It is thought-provoking and lucrative to study the comparative aspects of two ideologies of Shramana and Sharana i.e. Rishaba and Shiva.

Thanking you

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

3000TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF BHAGAWAN PARSHWANATHA

DIPAK C. JAIN PRESENTED "PRAVASI BHARATHIYA SAMMAN"

New Delhi, January 9: The dean of Kellogg School of Management, North Western University Dipak C. Jain was presented with the "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman" by the prime minister of India Sri Atal Bihari Vajapayee on the occasion of the 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Day) Conference, here at New Delhi. Sri Dipak Jain is one among the 12 awardees presented with the award. The prime minister presented the award in front of more than 1500 delegates from 61 countries, a majority of whom constituted Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non Resident Indians (NRI).

It can be recalled here that Mr. Dipak C. Jain had taken charge recently as the dean of the Kellogg School of Management in the US and is the first Indian in the history of the institute to hold the coveted post. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

AHIMSA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

CHAVUNDARAYA AWARD FOR DR. T.V.VENKATACHALA SHASTRY

Mysore (Karnataka), January 9: The prestigious Chavundaraya award founded by the Jain pilgrim centre Shravanabelagola was conferred on the eminent Jain scholar Dr. T.V.Venkatachala Shastri by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bangalore on 9th January, 2004 in Mysore. Prof. H.S. Krishna Iyyengar (H.S.K.) the veteran columnist awarded the same in the presence of Sri Harikrishna Punarur, the president of the Parishat. Who also presided over the function. Sri S.Jitendra Kumar represented the Jain Math, Shravanabelagola. Dr. N.S.Taranath, prof. in Kannada, Mysore University delivered the felicitation lecture. The function was organised by Mysore district Kannada Sahitya Parishat. 

It may be recalled that Chavundaraya Award is the highest in the order in Kannada literature where the meritorious contribution to Jainism is taken into account which caries a cash of Rs. 20,000, citation and memento. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service 

ACHARYA AND GANINI PADHAVI PRADHAN AT SHEDABALA

Shedabala, (Belgaum District, Karnataka), January 15: : His holiness Acharya 108 Sri Subhalsagarji Maharaj will offer the Acharya Padavi to one of his disciples Muni 108 Sri Varadatta Maharaj and Muni 108 Sri Devasena Maharaj on the 22nd January 2004 at a function organised to mark the occasion in the premises of the Sri Shanthisagar Ashram in shedabala. Aryika 105 Sri Suvrata Mataji is supposed to get the Ganini Padhavi on the occasion. The 88 year old Acharya Assumed Niyama Sallekhana in 1992 and is supposed to end in March 2004. As a part of this he is also expected to take yama sallekhana on the same day. For further details contact phone no. 08339264614. - Reported by Santhosh Kumar A.B. & Jain Heritage Centres News Service

JAIN PILGRIMS LATEST VICTIMS OF ASSAULT IN TRAIN

Patna (Bihar), Jan 2 : A group of Jain pilgrims from Mumbai has become the latest victims of assault and molestation by miscreants on trains passing through Bihar. The miscreants boarded the Jamalpur-Howrah Express at Bhagalpur Thursday and started misbehaving with some women pilgrims. When they protested, the miscreants assaulted and beat members of the group, a railway official said. Surprisingly, a railway police official in Bhagalpur said no official complaint had been filed about the incident. "We came to know about the incident, but there is no complaint with us," he said.
Last month members of a cultural troupe from Jammu and Kashmir and some passengers from Sikkim were molested and assaulted on trains passing through Bihar.  Sources said in Thursday's incident the attempt by the miscreants to molest some women was foiled by the strong resistance put up by all the pilgrims.The miscreants stopped the train at several places and broke windowpanes and lights to harass the pilgrims. The miscreants were mostly youths apparently returning from celebrations to mark the New Year. The pilgrims were on their way to Champanagri, a sacred Jain centre in Bhagalpur.A local newspaper quoted some of the fear-stricken pilgrims as saying that they would file a police complaint after returning to Mumbai on January 5.

KAMALA HAMPANA CALLS TO NAME MANGALORE PORT AFTER ABBAKKA RANI

Moodabidri (Mangalore District, Karnataka), December 18: Dr. Smt Kamala Hampana the president of the 71st Annual Kannada Literary Cenference (Sahitya Sammelana)  has called upon the Governments of Karnataka and India to name the Mangalore port after the great Jain queen Abbakka Rani who had fought against the Portuguese forces. She was speaking from her presidential address of the conference. She recalled that had Abbakka not fought against the Portuguese and defeated them along the Mangalore port then the fate of India would have changed and the Portuguese would have ruled India instead of the British.

Smt Hampana regretted for  not making any efforts to remember another great Jain queen Chennabyradevi.It can be recalled here that Chennabyradevi had ruled over the coastal belt of Karnataka with Gerusoppa as here capital comprising the territories of Honnavar, Haduvalli, Barakooru, Bhatkal and Nagire and was popularly called as Kappu Menasina Rani (the black pepper queen). - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

ANALYSE SELF THROUGH INTER-RELIGIOUS TALKS

Patiala, December 19: Acharya Samarat Dr ShivMuniji Maharaj, a religious philosopher and spiritual head of Jainism, while delivering his lecture on ‘Religion, peace and Harmony’ at the Punjab University campus here, stated that all religions of the world were the same and that the same God resided in each human heart.

The lecture was organised by the Department of Philosophy and the function was presided over by the vice-chancellor of university, Swaran Singh Boparai. Dr Shivmuni added that it was essential for a community to  analyse and criticise the self through inter-religious dialogue so as to remain free from dogmatisation.

On the occasion Boparai also honoured the Acharya Samrat with role of honour and a shawl. He also released some books written by Acharya Dr Shiv Muni. Dr G.S Sandhu, head of the department, welcomed the guests and Dr Dharam Singh of the Religious Studies department presented vote of thanks. News Courtesy: ExpressIndia.com

'GOMMATAVANI' ENTERS 25TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

MULAYAM ATTACKS SELF - APPOINTED CHAMPIONS OF RELIGIOUS FAITH

Aligarh, Dec 20 :Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, today strongly attacked those forces which he said were trying to become "self-appointed champions of religious faith and nationalism."

Without naming the BJP, the Chief Minister said " the people of India will have to remain cautious against those who followed double standards on issues like culture and religious faith."

Yadav who was speaking at the Manglayam Jain Temple on the occasion of the opening ceremony of a charitable hospital in the temple complex criticised those sections who were trying to "justify attacks" on places of worship, schools and hospitals just because these places were being run by missionaries belonging to other faiths.

He said it was "unfortunate" that some political parties have started calling for a national debate on religious conversions without having the moral courage to condemn attacks on places where humanitarian work was being carried.

Yadav also strongly criticised the BJP for "shamelessly" toeing the American line on the Iraqi invasion.

He said "we should not forget that Saddam Hussain had stood by India in our difficult times and the least we can do is to condemn the humiliation which is being heaped upon him by those who are the aggressors."

He said India should make it clear that it will not support American attempts to conduct a bogus trial of the former Iraqi ruler.

The Chief Minister said that according to all norms of International justice,the Saddam trial "should be conducted by the people of Iraq under the supervision of the United Nations."

Yadav said that in today's troubled times the teachings of Lord Mahavira had acquired a special significance.

He said that Jainism was one of the oldest religions in the world and its teachings were based on the spirit of non-violence and universal love. - News Courtesy: The Hindu

'RANGALOKA' BOOK RELEASED

Mysore (Karnataka), December 13: 'Rangaloka', a work on the study of the amateur and professional theatres in Kannada by Dr. H.A.Parshwanath, theatrist (Editor-in-chief: Jaina Voice and chief patron jainheritagecentres.com) was released at Suchitra Art Gallery, Kalamandir by Dr.Padma Shekar, head of the department of Jainology and Prakrit, Mysore Universoty. She opined that the work is an amalgamation of both documentation and literature revealing the progressive and identifying steps in Kannada literature. Dr.Ramegowda, the renowned writer who presided over the function, hailed the cohesive and significant efforts and contribution made by Dr. Parshwanath for the growth and development of theatre literature in Kannada which is seen declining in these years. The book was analysed by Horeyala Doreswamy.

M.G.Sadanandaiah, deputy director of Kannada and culture, N.Girigowda, President, Kannda Sahitya Parishad and D.N.Lokappa of 'Samvahana' were on the dias. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

SATISH KUMAR JAIN GETS MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

New Delhi, December 15: Sri Satish Kumar Jain, the founder chief secretary of the Ahimsa International, New Delhi has been awarded with the coveted Man Of The Year Award- 2003 by the American Biographical Institute. Mr. Satish has been awarded with this coveted award as a recognition of his contribution to Jain culture, vegetarianism, animal conservation, antiques preservation, organizing of the Jain conferences and his other contributions in different fields. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service    

NINE JAIN'S ENTER MADHYA PRADESH ASSEMBLY

BAN ON COW SLAUGHTER IN MADHYA PRADESH

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), December 13: The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet friday decided to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter, a promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party before the elections. Presided over by the Chief Minister, Uma Bharti, the Cabinet also decided to reinstate thousands of retrenched daily wage earners, wind up the district governments and bring the Narmada water to Bhopal. Ms. Bharti had announced during her election campaign that once she came to power, a decision would be taken at her very first Cabinet meeting to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter. Similarly, she had emphasised that a decision would also be taken at the meeting to reinstate thousands of daily wage earners appointed after December 31, 1988, clear the Narmada water supply scheme for Bhopal and abandon the system of district governments that had been imposed on the Panchayati Raj system by the Digvijay Singh Government. The BJP Government has also decided to properly equip the cow sheds for keeping sick and ailing cows. - News Courtesy: The Hindu

COW SLAUGHTER BANNED IN CHATTISGARH

Raipur (Chattisgarh), December 18: The BJP Government in Chhattisgarh, headed by Raman Singh, wednesday banned cow slaughter and decided to provide relief to farmers by writing off their soft loans. "Cow slaughter is now totally banned in the State and anyone engaged in it will attract punishment,'' the Chief Minister told reporters here after the first meeting of the Cabinet. The Government also decided to set up new `Gaushalas' and strengthen the existing ones as promised in the election manifesto. -News Courtesy: The Hindu 

COURT UPHOLDS BAN ON NON VEGETARIAN EATERIES NEAR TEMPLES

New Delhi, December 20: The Delhi High Court on December 15 upheld the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) ban on all restaurants serving nonvegetarian food within a hundred meters of a temple. Justice S.K. Kaul observed that the ban should be enforced near all temples across the city. Six years ago, the MCD had revoked the license of a Patel Nagar restaurant located near Mahavir Mandir. The owner of this restaurant, Ashok Kumar, filed a petition against MCD the same year claiming that the organization had no right to do so, as the restaurant was being run within the legal framework laid down by the MCD. He got a stay order from the High Court in 1997 and continued running his hotel. Kumar claimed that he had been running this restaurant since 1975 and had renewed his license every year. He also claimed that the temple was built much later, in 1986. The MCD, however, claimed that the ban order had been passed in 1983. Additional MCD standing counsel O.P. Saxena said Kumar was only licensed to serve vegetarian food. Kumar's counsel contended that three other restaurants in the same area were serving nonvegetarian food. The court directed the MCD to submit a report within four weeks on these other nonvegetarian restaurants in the area. - News Courtesy: Hinduism Today

SONAGIRI FINDS PLACE IN BJP'S TOURISM POLICY

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), January 13: One of the popular Jain pilgrim centre Sonagiri has found place in the tourism policy of the newly formed BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh headed by Ms. Uma Bharati. The Bharatiya Janata Party government in the State is planning to promote domestic tourism rather than seeking revenues though Petro Dollar tourists. MP Tourism Development Corporation officials informed that a draft of the new tourism policy of the government was in the completion stage. Learning from past experience, the Tourism department has now concentrated on infrastructure development for smaller catering and wayside services rather than wasteful expenditure on heritage hotels.

The new policy would be made keeping in mind the religious pilgrimages including Sonagiri (Jain pilgrimage), Sanchi (Buddhist), Ujjain, Pachmarhi, Dewas and others. Special packages for circuit trip to all national parks and sanctuaries would be an attraction in the policy. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

A RELIGIOUS CHANNEL FROM ZEE

BALASAHEB GETS SAHITYA ACADEMY AWARD

Bangalore (Karnataka), January 1: The novel Hutta of Dr. Balasaheb Lokapur has bagged the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award - 2003. Hutta the second novel of Dr. Balasaheb encompasses in it the theme describing the life of a Jain family in North Karnataka. It can be recalled here that the first novel of the same author had also bagged the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award. Mr. Balasaheb is presently working as a lecturer in Bagalkot.

Chaduranga Award: The same novel has also been selected for the Chaduranga Award in the novels section for the year 2003. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service    

The main intention of this column is to provide a platform to the news of even the small villages spread all over India. We here by request our readers to kindly send the news of the pooja mahotsav's in the Jain temples taking place at the nooks and corners of the world.

Kuchhangi (Tumkur District, Karnataka), December 28: The annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Parshwanatha Tirthankar Jain temple was held on 28th December, 2003. The sarvadosha prayaschita aradhana and mahaabhishekha pooja of Bhagawan Parshwantha with 108 pots were conducted on the occasion.

Morigeri (Bellary District, Karnataka): The annual deepotsava of Brahmayaksha had been organised on 11th of January, 2004. Morigeri is situated in the Hagaribommanahalli taluk of Bellary District. This temple is presently under renovation and the trustees of the temple have requested the Jain samaj to donate generously towards the cause.

Akkirampura (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The annual pooja mahotsav of Bhagawan Sri Ananthanatha and Sri Brahmayaksha had been organised on 11th of January, 2004. The proceedings of the pooja were conducted under the guidance of Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Kambadahalli Jain Muth. The 108 kalashaabhishekha to the idols of Bhagawan Sri Ananthanatha and Brahmayaksha will be conducted from 11.00 a.m. Later the Sammedhashikarji Aradhana and the palaki processions were conducted.

Nidagal (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The 11th annual pooja mahotsav of the Kashtaharan Parshwanatha Tirthankara Jain temple situated atop the hillock will be held on the 18th of January, 2004, under the guidance of Sri Devendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Huncha Jain Muth. Nidagal is situated at a distance of 35 Kms from Pavagada and 9Kms from Rangasamudra of Tumkur district. Special vehicle arrangements have been made from Pavagada, Tumkur and Rangasamudra.

Gudigeri (Dharwad District, Karnataka):  The 28th annual pooja mahotsav of  Bhagawan Parshwanatha and Goddess Padmavathi Devi will held on the 4th of February, 2004. Many religious activities have been organised to mark the occasion. Sri Yashodhar D. Jain one of the organisers has requested the devotees to participate actively in the celebrations. Gudigeri is situated on the Hubli - Bangalore railway line.

Sunday 18th January 2004 - Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Chandraprabha and Bhagawan Parshwanatha, Janma Kalyana of Bhagawan Parshwanatha.

Tuesday 20th January 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Sheethalanatha.

Friday 23rd January 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Vasupujya.

Sunday 25th January 2004 - Janma Kalyana and Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Vimalanatha.

Tuesday 27th January 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Vimalanatha.

Friday 30th January 2004 - Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawana Ajinatha.

Saturday 31st January 2004 - Janma Kalyana of Bhagawana Ajinatha.

Tuesday 3rd February 2004 - Janma Kalyana and Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawana Abhinandananatha and Bhagawan Dharmanatha.

Wednesday 4th February 2004 - Annual pooja mahotsav of Bhagawan Bahubali at Dharmasthala, Karnataka.

Friday 6th February 2004 - Rathayatra at the Karkala hillock, Karnataka.

Sunday 8th February 2004 - Pattabhishekha Vardanthiutsava of the Bhattarakha Maharaj of Arihantagiri (Tirumalai).

Thursday 12th February 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Padmaprabha.

Tuesday 17th February 2004 - Janma Kalyana and Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Sheethalanatha.

Thursday 19th February 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Rishabhanatha.

Friday 20th February 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Shreyamsanatha.

Monday 23rd February 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Aranatha.

Wednesday 25th February 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Mallinatha.

Saturday 28th February 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Shambavanatha. 

Additions as on 8th January 2004:

Jain Heritage Centres News Updates Service

List of the forth Coming events in the year 2004

Additions as on 10th January 2004:

Calendar Wallpapers