Jainism, traditionally known as Jaina dharma (Sanskrit: जैन धर्म), is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings, and emphasizes spiritual independence and equality between all forms of life. Practitioners believe that non-violence and self-control are the means by which they can obtain liberation. The word Jainism is derived from the Sanskrit verb
root Jin ("to conquer"). It refers to a battle with the passions and bodily pleasures that the Jain ascetics undertake. Those who win this battle are termed as Jina (conqueror). The term Jaina is therefore used to refer to laymen and ascetics of this tradition alike. Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Jains traditionally trace their history through a succession of twenty-four propagators of their faith known as Tirthankaras with Bhagwan Rishabhdev as the first and Bhagwan Mahavir as the last of the current era.
