Dharanendra is the Yaksha (attendant deity) of Parshvanatha, twenty-third Tirthankara in Jainism. He enjoys an independent religious life and is very popular amongst Jains.[1] According to the Jain tradition, when Parshvanatha was a prince, he saved two snakes that had been trapped in a log in the ritual fire of a sorcerer named Kamath. Later, these snakes were reborn as Dharanendra, the lord of the underworld Naga Kingdom, and Padmavati. They, then sheltered Parshvanatha when he was harassed by Meghalin (Kamath reborn).[2][3][4] Śvētāmbara tradition, however, does not list Padmavati among the main queens of Dharanendra.[5]

Dharanendra
Sculpture of Yaksha Dharanendra at Akkana Basadi, Shravanabelagola
AffiliationYaksha of Parshvanatha
ConsortPadmavati

Western Ganga literature states that Dharanendra was worshipped for acquiring sons.[6]

In the Panchakuta Basadi at Kambadahalli, Dharanendra is seen holding a bow and blowing a shankha. A five-hooded serpent makes a canopy over him.[7]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Jain & Fischer 1978, p. 20.
  2. ^ Jain & Fischer 1978, p. 21.
  3. ^ "Parshvanatha". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  4. ^ Dundas 2002, p. 33.
  5. ^ Shah 1987, p. 267.
  6. ^ Adiga 2006, p. 264.
  7. ^ "Kambadahalli – The Pillar, the Namesake – Indian History and Architecture". Retrieved 18 May 2021.

References

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