UGC-NET (NTA) Exam, BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES, June – 2025

The Dhawala Tika is a significant Jain commentary written on the Satkhandagama, one of the earliest and most important Digambara Jain texts. The author of Dhawala Tika is Acarya Virasena, a renowned Digambara Acharya and scholar.
His work laid the foundation for further philosophical development within the Jain tradition.

The Indrasabha and Jagannatha Sabha are two intricately carved cave temples located at Ellora in Maharashtra. These are part of the Jain cave group (Caves 30-34) at Ellora, known for their remarkable rock-cut architecture.
The Indrasabha cave resembles a multi-storied palace and is considered one of the finest examples of Jain rock-cut temples.

Gunadhara (or Gunasena) is traditionally credited as the author of the Kasayapahuda, a key Digambara Jain scripture dealing with the doctrine of passions (kashayas), which are seen as obstacles to liberation.
This text is considered one of the two canonical works along with the Satkhandagama in the Digambara tradition.

The famous "Hathi Gumpha" (Elephant Cave) inscription is located in the UdayagiriKhandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
It was commissioned by King Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty in the 2nd century BCE. The inscription provides valuable historical and cultural information about ancient Kalinga and Jainism.

The Natal Indian Congress was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1894 in Natal (presentday KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa, to fight discrimination against the Indian community.
It was one of Gandhi's earliest organized political efforts, which laid the foundation for his future activism and nonviolent resistance.

During his childhood, young M.K. Gandhi was once terrified by the idea of ghosts. A servant in their household named Rambha suggested that he should recite the name of Lord Rama (Ramanama) whenever he felt afraid.
This simple advice had a deep psychological and spiritual impact on Gandhi. It became his lifelong remedy for fear and anxiety and later evolved into a foundational part of his spiritual discipline.

In 1888, Gandhi sailed to England to study law. He enrolled at the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London responsible for legal training and licensing barristers in England. He completed his law degree and was called to the bar in 1891, before returning to India.
His experience in England also exposed him to various Western ideas and texts, which later influenced his worldview.

Though Gandhi admired thinkers like Tolstoy, Ruskin, and Thoreau, the person who had the most intimate and lasting influence through personal contact was Raychandbhai (Shrimad Rajchandra). He was a Jain philosopher and poet, known for his spiritual depth.
Gandhi regarded him as a true spiritual guide, and it was Raychandbhai who helped him resolve doubts about religion and morality during his early years.

Gandhi's book "Hind Swaraj” (1909) is one of his most important philosophical works. It presents a sharp critique of modern Western civilization, which he viewed as materialistic, violent, and morally corrupt. In contrast, he advocated for Indian civilization based on self-discipline, moral values, and simple living.
The book lays out his vision of true self-rule (Swaraj) rooted in nonviolence, self-restraint, and ethical living.

Gandhi often referred to the Bhagavad Gita as "my spiritual mother" and "a boundless ocean of knowledge." It was his daily guide and source of strength, especially during times of doubt and struggle. He particularly revered the doctrine of selfless action (karma yoga) and the emphasis on detachment found in the Gita.
For Gandhi, the Gita was not just a scripture but a manual for ethical living.