________________
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF JAINISM
absence of more positive evidence we cannot afford to be dogmatic about this.
AJITANĀTHA Like the first Tīrthařkara, the second also according to the Jainas, was a Kosalan. Ajita (Ajiya) was the son of Jitaśatru of Ayodhyā, and his mother's name was Vijayā. He was 50 dhanusas in height, less than Rşabha who was 450 dhanusas. He lived for 72 lakh years and the sacred tree associated with him was saptaparna. He died on the summit of Pareshnath hill (Sammeya). Sihasena and Phaggu were his first disciples 20 There is nothing to indicate that he was a historical figure.
SAMBHAVANATHA The third Tīrthamkara Sambhava (Sambhava), like the first two, was a Kosalan. He was the son of king Jitāri and Senā of Srāvastī. Since he is the third Tīrthamkara, he should be of lesser height; and we are told that he was only 400 dhanusas. His lifespan too was limited to only 60 lakh years! His sacred tree was sāla. Like the second, he too attained liberation on the summit of Sammeya hill.21 Prominent disciples of his were Cāru and Sāmā. He is mentioned in a Mathură inscription of Huviska22 dated in the Kaniska year 48 corresponding to AD 126.
ABHINANDANA The fourth Tirthamkara was also a Kosalan, according to the Jainas, and was born at Vinitā. His parents were Samvara and Siddhārthā. His height, as expected, was 350 dhanusas, and he lived 10 lakh years less than the third Tirthamkara. Vajranābha and Ajitā were his chief disciples. His sacred tree was priyaka 23
SUMATI The fifth Tīrthařkara was also born at Vinītā in the Kosala country. His parents were king Megha and queen Mangalā, his height was 300 dhanusas, and lifespan 40 lakh years. His sacred tree was priyangu and his chief disciples Camara and Kāsavī. He attained liberation on mount Sammeya.24
Like Rşabha, this Tīrthamkara also finds a place in the Bhagavatapurāņa (V.15.1), which informs us that Sumati will be worshipped in the Kali Age by irreligious and non-Aryan peoples as their god. It further tells us that Sumati followed the path of Rsabha. There can
