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1. BHAVAGAN RISHABHDEV, THE FIRST TIRTHANKAR
“He was the first king of this age and also the first ascetic. Who also was the first ford-maker (Tirthankar), my salutations to
that Rishabh Swami”.
- Acharya Hem Chandra
According to the Jain measurement of cosmic time one cycle of time has two divisions. These two divisions, ascending timecycle
and descending time-cycle, have six divisions each which are called Ara (spoke). During the ascending time-cycle
there is a gradual improvement in physical and mental conditions, including physical strength, health, happiness and simplicity,
of beings as well as climatic and life supporting conditions. During the descending time-cycle there is a gradual deterioration
in these conditions.
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During the first three Aras of the current descending cycle man was completely dependent on nature for all his needs. The
wish-fulfilling trees provided all that he needed. Man was simple, peaceful and contended in attitude. The environment was
absolutely unpolluted. Water was tasteful, cold and sweet. Even the sand was sweet as sugar. The air was healthy and
exhilarating. The grains and fruits were nutritious and filling. A simple meal of little quantity of fruit and water lasted for days.
Filled stomach and satisfied desires acted as antidote to irritation and reduced disputes and other sinful activities. The whole
animal kingdom lived in harmony with the nature.
The Age of Twins
With the passage of time gradual changes occurred and around the end of the third Ara the yield from the Kalpa-vrikshas
reduced. The alround deterioration in conditions spelled the beginning of quarrels and disputes. To guard against these
disputes and to live in peace and harmony, man formed groups and the Kulkar system was evolved. A number of people
collected to form a ‘Kula’ (family) and the head of the group were called ‘Kulkar’. It was the duty of the ‘Kulkar’ to remove
discord and establish order.
Nabhiraja was the seventh and the last in the line of Kulkars. His wife was Marudeva. This epoch of Kulkar system was
known as the epoch of twins (Yugalia). A human couple used to give birth to a twin-one male and one female. This twin would
become husband and wife on reaching adulthood. The twins used to lead a happy and contended life and died a natural
death together.
To consume what was available was the way of life. As such this period was also known as Bhog-Bhumi-Kaal or the ear of
free consumption. Upto the time of Kulkar Nabhiraja man lived in this land of abundance.
Birth of Rishabhdev
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It was during the last part of the third Ara of the current descending cycle of time that the great and pious soul that was to
become Rishabhdev descended into the womb of Marudeva on the fourth day of the dark half of the month of Ashadh during
the night.
In the ancient Jain scriptures it is mentioned that during many previous births, the soul that was to be Rishabhdev had done
prolonged spiritual practices. As a result of high degree of purity of thoughts and attitude as well as penance, meditation,
charity and benevolent deeds it had earned highly pious Karmas.
In his incarnation as Dhanna, the caravan leader, he had offered alms and services to ascetics and others. As doctor
Jivanand he had taken ample care of world and became ascetics. As king Vajranath he had supported poor and desolate
masses. After many years of public service Vajranabh renounced the world and became an ascetic. As a result of unprecedented
spiritual practices, including religious studies, penance, tolerance, and meditation, he earned Tirthankar-nam-andgotra-karma.
These pious deeds of earlier births resulted in his taking birth as Rishabhdev.
When this pious soul was conceived, mother Marudeva dreamt of fourteen auspicious things. The first thing she saw in her
dream was that a beautiful and large white bull was entering her mouth. The other things she saw in her dream are as follows-
2. A giant elephant having four tusks,
3. A lion,
4. Goddess Laxmi seated on a lotus,
5. A garland of flowers,
6. The full moon resplendent in the sky,
7. The scintillating sun,
8. A fluttering flag,
9. A golden urn,
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 9
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