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22
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
tīrthamkara, and Neminātha, the twenty-second tirthamkara, are said to have belonged to the Harivamśa33 or the Yādava34 dynasty of the ksatriyas. According to the Jaina tradition, nearly all tīrthamkaras received consecration at their native places, and all obtained jñāna or complete enlightenment at the same place.35 The exceptions were — Rsabha, who became a kevalin at Purimtāla,36 Neminātha, who became a kevalin at Girnar, 37 and Mahāvīra, who became a kevalin at the bank of Rjupālikā river.38 Twenty tirthařkaras are said to have attained mokṣa at Samet Sikhara,39 i.e., Pārsvanātha hill in the Hazaribagh district of Bihar.40 Of the remaining four, Rsabha attained nirvāṇa on Astāpada which is supposed to be Satruñjaya in Gujarat,41 Vāsupujya at Campāpuri,42 Neminātha on Mount Girnar, 43 and Mahāvīra at Pāvāpurī.44 Twenty-one tīrthaskaras are said to have achieved moksa in the kāyotsarga posture; but Rşabha, Neminātha and Mahāvīra attained it in the padmāsana posture.45 Rşabha, Neminātha, Pārsvanātha and Mahāvīra are the most favourite tīrthamkaras among the Jainas, but images and temples of other tīrthamkaras, too, are found in many parts of India.4
33. HP, Editorial; OISJ, p. 65; ERE, VII, p. 466. 34. Ibid. ; ACHI, p. 100. 35. OISJ, pp. 65-6; JI, p. 30. 36. Ibid. ; JPV, p. 86; JI, p. 30. 37. Ibid.; HP, pp. 643-4; JI, p. 30. 38. Ibid.; AAHI, p. 85; CHI, I, p. 159. 39. Ibid., p. 66; JAA, I, pp. 14-16; JI, p. 30. 40. HGAI, p. 249; GD, p. 176; JI, p. 30. 41. OISJ, p. 66. 42. Ibid.; JAA, I, pp. 14-16; GEAMI, I, p. 83; GD, p. 44. 43. Ibid.; HP, pp. 798-9. 44. Ibid. ; AOIU, p. 415. 45. Ibid., p. 66; MCH, p. 353. 46. ERE, VII, p. 466; JI, p. 17.
