„梂 縈Ｏ３ 蔣潮 J - Jainism, Jain Religion - colleges

When Shreyans saw approaching Rishabhdev, he rushed to welcome his great grandfather. After bowing at the great ascetics
feet when Shreyans looked at Rishabhdev’s face he could not shift his gaze. He went into a state of meditative thoughts
and suddenly he acquired Jati-smaran Jnan, the knowledge that opens up memories of the past births. In his past birth
Shreyans was the charioter of king Vajranath (the past incarnation of Rishabhdev). This knowledge also made him aware of
the duties of laity toward Shramans. He realized that Bhagavan Rishabhdev had been wandering around without food or
water due to prevailing ignorance of the people regarding ascetic norms.
With due reverence he requested Rishabhdev, “Prabhu! I am honored by your presence. I have just received 108 pitchers
full of fresh sugar-cane juice that are pure and suitable for you in all respects. Kindly accept the juice and break your fast”.
Rishabhdev extended his cupped palms and Shreyans poured the sugar cane juice from a pitcher. Rishabhdev broke his fast
and the skies reverberated with the sound of divine drums and divine applauds, “Hail the alms giving!” The gods also
showered gems, flowers and perfumes.
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day after the penance of Varshi Tap (one meal and fast on alternate days for one year). (R-4/b)
This was the beginning of the tradition of religious charity and alms giving. In memory of this incident, the third day of the
bright half of the month of Vaishakh is celebrated as Akshay Tritiya festival. The Jains specifically celebrate it as the breakfast
Omniscience and Nirvana
For one thousand years Bhagavan Rishabhdev continued his harsh spiritual practices completely ignoring his body and other
mundane activities. On the eleventh day of the dark half of the month of Phalgun he was meditating under a banyan tree in
the Shakatmukh garden outside Purimtal town, close to Ayodhya. Around forenoon he transcended to the purest higher state
of meditation. The intensity of his practice caused the shedding of the knowledge and perception obscuring Karmas as well
as the illusory Karmas. As a result, he attained omniscience, the purest and enlightened state of soul. Rishabhdev became
a Jina.
When Rishabhdev attained omniscience the whole world was filled with a soothing glow for a moment. Numerous gods
descended from heavens to pay their respects to the Tirthankar. They also created the Samavasarana, the divine pavilion.
King Bharat also proceeded toward the divine assembly riding an elephant and taking along his grandmother Marudeva.
Apprehensive about the hardships of the ascetic life of her son, Marudeva was relieved when she beheld the scintillating face
of Rishabhdev sitting in the divine assembly surrounded by happy and dazzling gods. The vision of her son perched on the
spiritual pinnacle triggered the flow of spontaneous joy in the heart of Marudeva. This mundane joy slowly turned into the
ultimate bliss and she acquired omniscience. Coincidentally, at the same moment she completed her age and became a
liberated soul (Siddha). Bhagavan Rishabhdev made the announcement that Marudeva had become a Siddha.
In his first discourse Rishabhdev detailed the trilogy of right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct. Knowing about
the significance of life as
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a human being and importance of a dutiful life, thousands of people including Rishabhsen, the eldest
son of Emperor Bharat, and five hundred other members of the royal family embraced the acetic way of life. Thousands of
other persons accepted the Shravak Dharm (the religious way for laity). As he founded the four-pronged religious ford at the
beginning of the present era, Bhagavan Rishabhdev became popularly known as Adinath, the first Tirthankar.
The first disciple of Bhagavan Rishabhdev was Rishabhsen. He became the first chief disciple. He was also known as
Pundarik.
Liberation
For a long time Bhagavan Rishabhdev continued to propagate his religion having the five great vows as its central theme.
When he realized that all his remaining Karmas are approaching their end he proceeded to the Ashtapad Mountain. On the
thirteenth day of the dark half of the month of Magh, a little before noon time, Rishabhdev, alongwith ten thousand other
ascetics, was observing a six-day fast without water. He was sitting in meditation in the Paryanka pose. When the moon
entered the Abhijit lunar mansion he got nirvana and got liberated from all sorrows.
The king of gods, Saudharmendra, Emperor Bharat, numerous gods and men gathered and celebrated the auspicious event
of Bhagavan Rishabhdev’s gathered and celebrated the auspicious event of Bhagavan Rishabhdev’s Nirvana.
2. BHAGAVAN AJITNATH
The soul that became Bhagavan Ajitnath, in its earlier incarnation, was the great king Vimalvahan of Susima City in Mahavideha
area. He lea a pious life in spite of the available princely grandeur. At an appropriate time, he became an ascetic under
Arindam Suri. Meditating about the omniscient and liberated souls and indulging in harsh penance, he purified his soul to a
level where he could earn the Tirthankar-nam-and-gotra-karma. Completing his age, he reincarnated as a god in the Vijayaanuttar-dimension.
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 12
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