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SHRI ASHTÄPAD MAHÄ-TIRTH
1.0 Introduction
Ashtäpad is one of the greatest Tirth in Jainism which is regarded as lost. Members of the Jain community of Jain Center of America, NY took it upon themselves to rediscover and bring Ashtäpad to our time.
The Jain scripture has singled out five central events (known as Pancha Kalyänak) that occur in a Tirthankar's lifetime as the most auspicious moments. The first event is the Tirthankar's decent into the mother's womb signified by the mother having the 14 auspicious dreams. The second is the actual birth of the Tirthankar celebrated with great splendor. The third is the renunciation of all the riches and wealth and start of the arduous and long ascetic life. After very deep contemplation and meditation, the Tirthankar attains omniscience (Keval-Jnän) - his fourth life-changing event. The last event is where the soul is finally free from all the karmic bonds and is liberated to attain Siddha status. Nirväna-bhoomi, or the places where the Tirthankars attained the ultimate goal of breaking away from the circle of life, has turned into key pilgrimage places (five Mahä Tirth) for the Jains today. All 24 Tirthankars have attained nirväna at the five places as explained in the following verse:
अष्टापदे श्री आदि जिनवर, वीर पावापुरी वरुं, वासुपूज्य चंपानयर सिध्धा, नेम रैवत गिरि वरुं : सम्मेत शिखरे वीस जिनवर, मुक्ति पहुंच्या मुनिवरुं
चउवीस जिनवर नित्य वंदु, सयल संघ सुखकरुं.
Ädinäth Bhagawän attained Nirvana at Ashtäpad, Mahävir Swami at Päväpuri,
Väsupujya Swami at Champäpuri and, Neminäth Bhagawän attained Nirvana at Girnar. The other 20 Tirthankars attained Nirvana at Samet Shikhar.
I always bow down with reverence to all the twenty four Tirthankars, which brings eternal happiness to us.
As per Jain scriptures, the first Tirthankar Bhagawän Shri Rishabhadev had attained nirväna on the Ashtäpad Mountain. Shri Ashtäpad Tirth is one of the major Tirths and it is located in a tranquil region of the Himalayas. Chakravarti King Bharat (son of Shri Rishabhadev) had built a palace with precious stones at this place as a memorial to commemorate the nirväna of Bhagawan Shri Rishabhadev. The name "Ashtapad" is derived from the fact that there are eight (Ashta) steps (Pad) leading to the palace.
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