Naminatha (Devanagari: नमिनाथ) (Sanskrit: नमिनाथः) was the twenty-first tirthankara of the present half time cycle, Avsarpini. He was born to the King Vijaya and Queen Vipra of the Ikshvaku dynasty. King Vijaya was the ruler of Mithila at that time.[3] Naminatha lived for 10,000 years.[4] When Naminatha was in his mother's womb, Mithila was attacked by a group of powerful kings. The aura of Naminatha forced all the kings to surrender to King Vijaya.[5]

Naminatha
Venerated inJainism
PredecessorMunisuvrata
SuccessorNeminatha
SymbolBlue Water Lily [1]
Height15 bows (45 metres)[2]
Age10,000
ColorGolden
GenderMale
Genealogy
Born
Died
Parents
  • Vijaya (father)
  • Vaprā (mother)
DynastyIkshvaku dynasty

Legends

Naminatha was born on the 8th day of Shravan Krishna of the lunisolar Jain calendar. He attained Kevala Jnana under a Bakula tree. He had 17 Ganadhara, Suprabha being the leader.[6] According to Jain tradition, he liberated his soul by destroying all of his karma and attained Moksha from Sammed Shikhar nearly 571,750 years before Neminatha.[7] He was preceded by Munisuvrata who is believed to have lived 570,000 years before him.[7]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Tandon 2002, p. 45.
  2. ^ Sarasvati 1970, p. 444.
  3. ^ Tukol 1980, p. 31.
  4. ^ Harshshilvijay, Kulshilvijay. "24 Characters of Tirthankara".
  5. ^ Jain 2009, p. 87-88.
  6. ^ Shah 1987, p. 163.
  7. ^ a b Zimmer 1953, p. 226.

Sources