Comprehensive History Of Jainism

Author(s): Aseem Kumar Chatterjee
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd

Page 33

TIRTHAMKARAS FROM RSABHA TO ARISTANEMI
7
KUNTHU
The son of Śūra and Śrī of Hastinapura, he was 35 dhanusas in height and his sacred tree was tilaka. His disciples were Svayambhu and Amjuya. He attained liberation on mount Sarnmeya after living for 95,000 years.11
ARANATHA
The son of Sudarśana and Devi of Hastinapura, he was 30 dhanuṣas in height and his sacred tree was mango. Kumbha and Rakkhiyā were his chief disciples. He attained liberation on mount Sammeya at the age of 84,000 years.42 He is referred to in the well-known Mathura inscription of the year 79 (= AD 157) which mentions the devanirmita Buddhist stupa.13
MALLI
This Tīrthamkara, unlike the others, was a woman." She was the daughter of Kumbha and Prabhāvatī of Mithila. A detailed account of her life and activities is preserved in the Nāyādhammakahão." She was exceedingly beautiful and was 25 dhanusas in height. The kings of six leading cities of northern India, we are told, demanded her hand in marriage. When refused, they all simultaneously attacked Mithila but before long, were all converted by her and became devout Jainas. Her sacred tree was aśoka and she had a lifespan of 45,000 years. Indra and Bandhumati were her chief disciples. This woman Tīrthamkara died on mount Sammeya.16
SUVRATA
He was the son of Sumitra and Padmavatī of Rājagṛha. His sacred tree was campaka and he had a lifespan of 30,000 years. He was 20 dhanusas in height and Kumbha and Puspavati were his chief disciples. He died on mount Sammeya.47
NAMINATHA
Like Malli, this Tīrthamkara also belonged to Mithila. We are told that he was the son of Vijaya and Vappa of that city. He was 15 dhanusas in height and had a lifespan of 10,000 years. Subha and Amalā were his chief disciples; bakula was his sacred tree. He died on mount Sammeya. 18
ARISTANEMI (NEMINĀTHA)
The immediate predecessor of Pārśva was Tīrthaṁkara Ariṣṭanemi,