Meaning of the term Nigrantha used during ancient India
Nigrantha is a term used in ancient India to refer to the followers of the early Jain tradition. The term “Nigrantha” means “boundless,” and it reflects the Jain belief in the infinite nature of the universe.
The Nigranthas were a community of wandering ascetics who rejected the social norms and religious practices of their time in order to pursue a path of strict asceticism and self-discipline. They believed that the ultimate goal of life was to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and that this could be achieved through the practice of non-violence, truthfulness, celibacy, and the cultivation of right knowledge and right conduct.
The Nigranthas were known for their extreme asceticism, often practicing long periods of fasting, meditation, and self-mortification. They also practiced the strict observance of the principle of ahimsa or non-violence, which extended not only to human beings but also to all forms of life, including animals, insects, and plants.
The early Jain tradition was associated with a number of prominent teachers and thinkers, including Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Mahavira is said to have spent many years studying with the Nigranthas before he developed his own unique teachings and practices.
Today, Jainism continues to be an important spiritual tradition in India and around the world, and the principles of non-violence, self-discipline, and compassion continue to inspire millions of people. The Nigranthas are remembered as an important early community of ascetics who helped to shape the development of Jainism as a distinct religious tradition.