Which of the following statements about Bhadrabahu is/are correct ?

Which of the following statements about Bhadrabahu is/are correct ?

  • He was a Jain Saint.
  • He was spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
Statement 1 is correct because Bhadrabahu was a prominent Jain saint, head of the Digambara sect. Statement 2 is also considered correct in Jain tradition, which holds that Chandragupta Maurya converted to Jainism and became a disciple of Bhadrabahu, accompanying him on a migration to South India (Sravanabelagola).
Bhadrabahu is a significant figure in Jain history, particularly associated with the migration that led to the split into Digambara and Svetambara sects. His connection with Chandragupta Maurya is a notable tradition within Jainism.
While some historians debate the historicity of Chandragupta’s conversion and migration with Bhadrabahu, it remains a widely accepted tradition in Jain literature and is often mentioned in historical contexts related to the Maurya period and the development of Jainism. Bhadrabahu is also credited with writing important Jain texts like ‘Kalpa Sutra’ (though parts are attributed to later authors) and ‘Bhadrabahu Samhita’.