Q. With reference to Mahavira and the early development of Jainism, consider the following statements:
1.Mahavira attained omniscience after twelve years of rigorous asceticism and came to be known as Jina.
2.He established a four-fold religious order consisting of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers.
3.Mahavira emphasized divine revelation and scriptural authority as the primary means to attain liberation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Mahavira practiced severe penance and achieved omniscience after twelve years, earning the title Jina (conqueror).
- He formed the four-fold order (monks, nuns, male and female lay followers), which became a core structure of Jain community life.
- Mahavira rejected divine revelation and textual authority, emphasizing personal effort, self-discipline, and direct experience as the path to liberation.
Source: NCERT and Ancient India – NCERT (R.S.Sharma)
