Question

Which of the following statements regarding Jainism is correct?
I. Vardhaman Mahavira was born in $5^{\text{th}}$ Century CE.
II. Mahavira was the $24^{\text{th}}$ Tirathankar.
III. Jains worship Lord Shiva as Mahavira.
IV. The principle of Ahimsa is emphasised in Jainism.

• A. Only I and II are correct.
• B. Only II and III are correct.
• C. Only III and IV are correct.
• D. Only II and IV are correct.

Hint:

The five great vows (Mahavratas) of Jainism are: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possession).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Evaluating Statement I:
Vardhaman Mahavira was born in Kundagrama (near Vaishali in modern Bihar) in the $6^{\text{th}}$ century BCE (traditiolly calculated as 599 BCE or c. 540 BCE), not in the $5^{\text{th}}$ century CE. Thus, Statement I is completely chronologically incorrect.

Step 2: Evaluating Statement II:
According to Jain canonical tradition, there are 24 cosmic teachers known as Tirthankaras. Vardhaman Mahavira was indeed the $24^{\text{th}}$ and fil Tirthankara of the present half-cycle. Thus, Statement II is correct.

Step 3: Evaluating Statement III:
Jains do not worship Hindu deities like Lord Shiva as Mahavira. Jainism is a non-theistic spiritual path focused on self-purification, where Tirthankaras are revered as human teachers who attained ultimate liberation (Moksha) and became Jis (conquerors). Thus, Statement III is incorrect.

Step 4: Evaluating Statement IV:
The supreme and most fundamental doctrine of Jainism is Ahimsa (absolute non-injury/non-violence to all living things, including animals, plants, insects, and microorganisms). Thus, Statement IV is correct.

Step 5: Deducing the Fil Option:
Since Statements II and IV are correct, the correct option is (D).