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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 Harivamsa33 or the Yadava34 dynasty of the ksatriyas. According to the Jaina tradition, nearly all tīrthařkaras received consecration at their native places, and all obtained jñāna or complete enlightenment at the same place. 35 The exceptions were — Rşabha, 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 Ķjupālikā river.38 Twenty tīrthařkaras are said to have attained moksa at Samet Sikhara,39 i.e., Pārsvanātha hill in the Hazaribagh district of Bihar.40 of the remaining four, Rşabha attained nirvāṇa on Aștāpada which is supposed to be Satruñjaya in Gujarat,41 Vāsupūjya at Campāpurī,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 Rsabha, Neminātha, Pārsvanātha and Mahāvīra are the most favourite tīrthamkaras among the Jainas, but images and temples of other tirthamkaras, too, are found in many parts of India. 46
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.
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