INFLUENCE OF JAINISM IN VILLAGES OF BENGAL
Once Mahavira said, “A non-religious person when awakens would make others sleep. Therefore his sleeping is good. A religious person when awakens will awaken others. Therefore his awakening is good.” Such were the ideas of religion that Mahavira and other Jainā monks and nuns propagated throughout their lives. The spread of Jainism amid a well-developed Hindu regime was made possible with the adoption of a simple language and an equally simple, but appealing doctrine. Mahavira and his captivating personality, generous patronage from rulers, and efforts of several hundreds of Jaina monks, writers, etc. also contributed to Jainism gaining its ground. Bengal witnessed the advent of Jainism during the lifetime of Mahavira, who had visited Radh (southern part of present West Bengal) to preach his tenets. There is a prevalent legend that says, 22 out of the 24 Tirthankaras had attained their spiritual power in a mountainous region called Parexnath Pahad near West Bengal. The then le
