$JES 981 Ashtapad Tirth Booklet

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 22

SHRI ASHTÄPAD MAHÄ-TIRTH
Appendix - 1 Stories Related to Ashtapad Mahä-Tirth There are many legends associated with Shri Ashtapad Tirth. Some of them are briefly narrated here.
1.0 Shri Adinath or Rishabhadev Bhagawan During the third Ärä (era), King Näbhiraj and Queen Marudevi ruled over the land of Bharat Kshetra. One night the Soul of Bhagawan Rishabhadev descended from heaven and entered the womb of Queen Marudevi. At that moment she had 14 auspicious dreams. In due time, the Queen gave birth to a son on the 8th day of second half of the month of Chaitra. Indra Dev carried the God to Mount Meru and celebrated the bathing ceremony. On the 12" day Indra named him Rishabha as Marudevi Mätä had Vrishabh (ox) as her first dream. Shri Rishabha became King after Näbhiraj. He ruled well and taught Asi, Masi and Krishi i.e. various arts, crafts, languages, commerce, agriculture, and self defense to the people & established a good society As life went by, he decided to renounce the world. He donated all his worldly possessions for 1 year (Varsi Däna) and at the end, after 2 days of fasting he took a solemn oath of renunciation from worldly matters. He plucked his hair, became a monk and bowed down to all liberated Souls.
Janma Kalyänak
Varsitap - Pärnä
2.0 Varsi Tap Pärnä of Rishabhadev Bhagawan As a monk Rishabhadev went for Gochari (food) from house to house continuously for about 13 months, but people were ignorant and did not offer any food instead they offered gold and other valuable items, which he could not accept. At last when Rishabhadev reached the city of Hastinapur in northern India, King Shreyans Kumär bowed down and offered him fresh sugarcane juice in Gochari. Rishabhadev consumed 108 pots of juice without spilling a single drop, as the king poured the offering in his palms. The entire universe resounded with words “Aho