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206 VRIDDHA KUMARIKAS (OLD SPINSTERS)
Description of a unique incident from the period of influence of Bhagavan Parshva Naath is found in two Jain scriptures. This incident finds a mention rarely in other sources. The incident is the initiation of 206 old spinsters in his order. Many aged spinsters from merchant families from numerous cities got initiated in Bhagavan Parshva Naath's religious organization at different times. They indulged in spiritual practices and observed ascetic-discipline. Due to some transgressions in secondary vows and dying without self criticism and atonement, some of them reincarnated as chief
to Bhagavan Mahavir's Samavasaran and paid homage to Bhagavan after displaying their unique grandeur and opulence. Seeing this divine display, even Ganadhar Gautam was enchanted and astonished. When asked by Gautam about these goddesses, Bhagavan Mahavir revealed that they were chief queens of different kings of gods. During their past birth, as old spinsters, they got initiated in the order of Bhagavan Parshva Naath. They acquired this unique opulence due to their asceticdiscipline and penance.
These details clearly indicate that even during the period of Bhagavan Mahavir there was great respect for Bhagavan Parshva Naath. Also, a strong belief prevailed among masses that his namechanting was panacea for all troubles and gaining success. That is why during Bhagavan Mahavir's period he was respectfully called Purushadaniya Bhagavan Parshva Naath.
Many scholars are of the opinion that during that period the four-fold religion of Bhagavan Parshva Naath was recognized as one of the prominent religions. Tathagat Buddha also initially accepted this four fold path and later evolved his eight limbed religion based on this.
See - ten chapters of ten goddesses in the fourth section of Niryavalika Sutra and lessons 1 to 10 of the second part of Jnata Sutra.
TIRTHANKAR PARSHVA NAATH (INFORMATION IN BRIEF)
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Sammetashikhar Shravan Shukla 8 84 days 100 years Shubha (dinna)
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Name Symbol Clan Father Mother Descent from Date of descent Place of birth Date of birth Date of initiation Keval-jnana at Date of Keval-jnana
Parshva Naath snake Ikshvaku Ashvasen Vamadevi Pranat Chaitra Krishna 12 Varanasi Paush Krishna 10 Paush Krishna 11 Varanasi Chaitra Krishna 4
Place of nirvana Date of nirvana Pre-omniscience period Life-span Main Ganadhar Number of Ganadhars Number of Sadhus Chief Sadhvi Number of Sadhvis Complexion Yaksha of the order Yakshini of the order
16,000 Pushpachula 38,000 blue Parshva Yaksha Padmavati
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It is believed that there was a gap of about 250 years between the nirvana of Bhagavan Parshva Naath and the establishment of Bhagavan Mahavir's religious order. During this period we find mention of four prominent acharyas and important heads of the order in Bhagavan Parshva Naath's lineage of disciples
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