Jain Center of America NY 2005 06 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center of America NY
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY

Page 103

Shri Adinath Bhagwan During the third Aara (Era) of "Avsarpini kaal”, King Nabhiraj and Queen Marudevi ruled over the land of Bharat-kshetra. When the Soul of Bhagwan Rishabhdev took its place in the womb of Mata Marudevi, she had a vision of 14 auspicious dreams in sequence. The Queen gave birth on the eighth day of second half of the month of Chaitra. The first Tirthankar was endowed with the three-fold knowledge of Mati, Shruti and Avadhigyan. On the twelfth day Indra named Bhagwan as Rishabhdev based on the first vision of a Vrishabh (Oxon) in the Queen's dream.
When prince attained adulthood, he was married to Sumangala and Sunanda. Sumangala gave birth to Bharat and Brahmi. Sunanda also gave birth to Bahubali and Sundari. After Nabhiraj. Rishabh came to throne and became King. He ruled well and taught Yugliks (Couple) - Ashi, Mashi and Krushi - various arts & Crafts, languages, commerce, agriculture and relationships and established a good society. As life went by, he decided to renounce the world. He plucked all his hairs and bowed down to the liberated Souls.
Janma Kalyanak
Parna
Varshi Tap Parna While fasting continuously for over a year, Rishabhdev reached the city of Hastinapur. King Shreyanskumar, grandson of Bahubali, bowed down and offered him fresh sugarcane juice. This is how Rishabhdev ended his year-long fast. The entire universe resounded with the words Aho Daanam meaning best donation. Since then the tradition of Varshi-Tap Parna has been followed.
Kevalgyan & Nirvana A considerable amount of his time was spent in the highest kind of meditation. Sitting under a Ryan tree in deep meditation he attained Kevalgyan absolute knowledge). Indra & other Gods thronged there to celebrate the fourth Kalyanak (Kevalgyan). They constructed a divine Assembly Hall known as Samovsarana for Adinath Bhagwan's first sermon.
When he learnt that his life was to come to an end, he went atop Mount Ashtapad along with 10000 Jain Munis for santhara (fasting unto death). After six days of fasting, Bhagwan attained Nirvana (Salvation).
Samovsaran
Shri Adinath Bhagwan