Parshvanatha Birthday
Parshvanatha also known as Parshva and Paras, was
the 23rd of 24 tirthankaras (propagators of dharma) of Jainism. He is one of
the earliest tirthankaras who are acknowledged as historical figures. He was
the earliest exponent of Karma philosophy in recorded history. The Jain sources
place him between the 9th and 8th centuries BC whereas historians point out
that he lived in the 8th or 7th century BC. Parshvanatha was born 273 years
before Mahavira. He was the spiritual successor of 22nd tirthankara Neminath.
He is popularly seen as a propagator and reviver of Jainism. Parshvanatha
attained moksha on Mount Sammeta (Madhuban, Jharkhand) in the Ganges basin, an
important Jain pilgrimage site. His iconography is notable for the serpent hood
over his head, and his worship often includes Dharanendra and Padmavati
(Jainism's serpent god and goddess).
According to Jain texts, Parshvanatha was born in
Banaras (Varanasi), India. Renouncing worldly life, he founded an ascetic
community. Texts of the two major Jain sects (Digambaras and Śvētāmbaras)
differ on the teachings of Parshvanatha and Mahavira. Parshvanatha allowed
monks to wear simple outer garments.
Historicity
Historians such as Hermann Jacobi have accepted him
as a historical figure because his Chaturyama Dharma (Four Vows) are mentioned
in Buddhist texts.
Parshvanatha was born in Varanasi, a historic city
on the Ganges.
Life before renunciation
He was born on the tenth day of the dark half of
the Hindu month of Pausha to King Ashwasena and Queen Vamadevi of Varanasi. Parshvanatha
belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty. Parshvanatha was a strong, handsome boy. At
the age of eight, Parshvanatha began practicing the twelve basic duties of the
adult Jain householder.
He lived as a prince and soldier in Varanasi.
According to the Digambara school, Parshvanatha never married; Śvētāmbara texts
say that he married Prabhavati, the daughter of Prasenajit (king of
Kusasthala).
Renunciation
Parshvanatha achieved moksha (liberation of the
soul) at Shikharji on Parasnath, the highest mountain in Jharkhand.
At age 30, on the 11th day of the moon's waxing in
the month of Pausha (December–January), Parshvanatha renounced the world to
become a monk. He removed his clothes and hair, and began fasting strictly. Parshvanatha
meditated for 84 days before he attained omniscience under a dhaataki tree near
Benares. His meditation period included asceticism and strict vows. Parshvanatha's
practices included careful movement, measured speech, guarded desires, mental
restraint and physical activity, essential in Jain tradition to renounce the
ego. According to the Jain texts, lions and fawns played around him during his
asceticism.
On the 14th day of the moon's waning cycle in the
month of Chaitra (March–April), Parshvanatha attained omniscience.
