Bhagwan Parshwanath

SR No.: 201045
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 3
Language: English
Classification: Article, Jaina_Education, & 0_Jaina_education_Story
File Size: 1 MB

Page 1

TIRTHANKARS
05 Bhagawän Pärshvanäth
About 3000 years ago, King Ashvasen was ruling over the Kingdom of Väränasi also known as Banäras, umeans as:
N yawa teng . 2m 01. in India. The city is situated on the banks of the holy River Gangä. He was a benevolent and a popular ruler and lived peacefully with his Queen, Vämädevi. On the 10th day of the dark half of the month of Märgashirsh (which usually falls in December) Queen Vämädevi gave birth to a son. Once, during her pregnancy, she had observed a snake passing by. The passing of that snake made quite an impression on her. In memory of that incident, her newborn son was named Pärshva-kumär, because in the Sanskrit language 'Pärshva' means 'near by or in the vicinity'.
Pärshva grew up in the midst of wealth and happiness and became a very attractive young man known for his courtesy, bravery, and valor. His reputation was well-known in all the kingdoms and many kings were eager to have their daughters marry him. Prince Pärshva-kumär was married to Prabhävati, a princess from a neighboring kingdom. The wedding ceremony was performed with much splendor and Pärshvakumär enjoyed a blissful married life with Prabhävati.
At that time, there was a mendicant named Kamath. During his childhood he had lost his parents and was raised as an orphan. Disgusted with his miserable life he had become a mendicant. As a mendicant, he had no material possessions and lived on the charity of others. He practiced severe penance and performed rituals called Panchägni (five fires). He came to Väränasi to perform the Panchägni (five fires) ritual. Many people were impressed by his ritual and penance and therefore worshipped him.
Pärshva-kumăr reciting Namaskar Mantra to the half-burnt snake
When Pärshva-kumär heard about Kamath's ritual, he realized the violence towards living beings involved in a fire. He came to Kamath and tried to dissuade him from lighting the sacrificial fire. Kamath denied that any life was at stake because of his ritual. However, by extra sensory perception, Pärshva-kumar sensed a snake trapped inside one of the burning logs. He asked his men to remove the log and chop it
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