Vaiṣṇava and Jain Relations

Intermixing, Identity, and Philosophical Tensions

Abstract

This paper explores the historical and contemporary interrelations between the Vaiṣṇava and Jain traditions, with a focus on social integration, shared iconographies, and philosophical distinctions. Drawing from textual and cultural examples, it highlights how regional cohabitation—especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan—has led to fluidity in religious identities, overlapping ritual practices, and mutual adaptations. Case studies include iconic similarities in medieval art, the Vaiṣṇava appropriation of the Jain figure Ṛṣabha, and syncretic spiritual movements such as Akram Vijñān Mārg and the influence of Śrīmad Rājcandra. The analysis underscores both the harmony and strategic negotiations that have shaped these interactions.