life jain texts state died intentionally shravanabelagola fasting versions chandragupta 's story appear buddhist jain hindu texts third century bce emperor ashoka pillar edicts mentions ''niganthas'' jains ''tirthankara'' statues date back second century bce archeological evidence suggests mathura important jain center second century bce onwards inscriptions early first century ce already show schism digambara v mbara inscriptional evidence presence jain monks south india second first centuries bce
Humanities Theology Jainism