Jains Today in World

Author(s): Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 65

36 : JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
• The “Arhat” (Venerable ones)
According to Jain tradition, the twenty-four Tīrthankara (Arhat, Jina) of the present cycle of time are, in chronological order:
1) Rşabha, also called Ādinātha (First Lord). He was born in Ayodhyā, capital of the ancient kingdom of Kośala (in modern Uttar Pradesh) of King Nābhirāja and his wife Queen Marudevī. According to his legendary story he had hundred sons. Jains especially honour two of them: Bharata and Gomateśvara also called Bahubali. Statues of Rşabha bear a golden coloured body with a bull as distinctive mark or symbol (lāñchana) at their bottom.
2) Ajita: He was also born in Ayodhyā of King Jitaśatru and his wife Queen Vijayā. His symbol is an elephant. He had also a golden coloured body.
3) Sambhava: He was born at Śrāvasti (in modern Uttar Pradesh) of King Jitāri and his wife Queen Senā. His body colour is also represented as golden and his symbol is a horse.
4) Abhinandana: He was born in Ayodhyā of King Samvara and his wife Queen Siddhārtha. His body colour is also represented as golden and his symbol is a monkey.
5) Sumati: He was also born in Ayodhyā of King Meghaprabha and of Queen Sumangalā. His body colour is also represented as golden and his symbol is a pink flamingo for the Svetāmbara, a curlew for the Digambara.
6) Padmaprabha: He was born in Kaušāmbi (in modern Uttar Pradesh), of King Dharaṇa and Queen Susimā. His body colour is red and he has a lotus (padma) as his symbol.
7) Supārsva: He was born in Kāśī (Varanasi) of King Pratistha and Queen Pșthvī. His body colour is green and his symbol is the