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तीर्थकर पार्श्वनाथ
a cave is better than the family life. (ii) The Yatibhikshu is always wandering and begging as he is barred from living in a fixed place, (iii) Practice of non-accumulation of earthly possessions, (iv) Dedicated self meditation, etc."10.
Several examples may be given to show the traditional belief that the naga is the fundamental life force. It is customary for the devout masses to name children after the naga, irrespective of their castes. It is believed that the curse of childlessness is caused by the naga's disfavour. Even if children are born, they are not expected to live long. As an antidote to childlessness, a magic rite called 'nagabali' is resorted to. This ‘nagabali' or 'nagoli' rite forms an important wedding rite. It is also believed that by installing the naga images the curse of childlessness and such other evils can be kept away. Nagapanchami is universally celebrated to appease the naga god.
It is no wonder that naga worship, which is as old as the human civilization itself, occupies even now an important position in the religious and cultural life of the masses. The naga is associated with religious worship in general irrespective of castes and creeds. It is but natural that the Jainas too practise naga worship incidentally, as found in their worship of Suparshva and Parshva, however inexplicable the association of Suparshva with naga worship may be.
Part III Parshvanatha and Karnataka
Though Mahavira is much nearer chronologically than Parshvanatha, Parshvanatha's impact on Karnataka is greater than Mahavsira's. It is for this reason that Parshvanatha temples outnumber Mahavira temples in Karnataka. We find only 54 temples dedicated to Mahavira, whereas we have more than 240 temples of Parshvanatha.". One of the possible reasons for this
