Shree Dharma Nath 15th Jain Thithankar

Shree Dharma Nath 15th Jain Tirthankar

The very purpose of birth of a Tirthankara on earth is to release people from the ocean of samsara bondage. Every individual will receive continuous birth due to their karma. Struggling in the worldly life needs liberation, and that can happen only by following the tenets of religious philosophy. Jainism is once such religion that aims at helping humanity to cross the sea of life and death cycle.

Tirthankaras born in Jain religion spread across the Jainism and help people attain Mukti. The life cycle of birth and death is a continuous process. It never comes to an end. The more attachment one has, the more they tend to possess things. Possession causes all miseries. One must learn to detach from all material comfort. Tirthankaras help every individual to attain liberation by preaching to practice freeing oneself from all desires.

Jain Kalachakra has two kaal namely the ascending cycle and the descending cycle. Presently descending cycle called Avsarpini is happening. This gets further divided into six Ara. Fifth Ara of Avsarpini kaal is in its 19000 years. Once it completes 21000 years, the sixth Ara will begin. Followed by completion of sixth Ara in 21000 years the first Ara of the ascending cycle will commence. Ascending sequence called as Utsarpini.

Birth and Childhood of Dharmanath

Dharmanath was ruling the kingdom of Baddilpur town situated in Mahavideha area. The name of the King was Dridhrath. Yes, that was his previous birth. He had enormous wealth but lived a pious life. He was an able king. He ruled very well, and all his people were happy in his kingdom. He obtained Diksha and was reincarnated as God in Vijyanta dimension.

His Tirthankara Nam karma gave him another birth. His soul entered the womb of Suvrata Devi. She was the Queen of Ratnapuri. Ratnapuri was well known for the Ratnas. It was ruled by King Bhanuraja. King was very affectionate towards his subjects and the Queen.

One day during the early hours of the morning even before the sun could rise in the sky, the Queen had a series of dreams. She saw fourteen different things in her dream. All were very auspicious like heap of gems, lion, and a pond filled with lotus, etc. She could not resist sharing this with the King. But she waited for the sun rise. She completed her morning prayers and met the King. She told the King that she dreamt fourteen things that morning. Also, added that they were similar to what Tirthankara Rishabadev’s mother saw in her dream. King happily told the Queen that she is equally blessed to give birth to a Tirthankara. She became delighted and started spending time in spiritual activities.

The Queen gave birth to a boy baby on the third day of the waxing moon of the Magh month. The King decided to name the child as Dharmanath. All in the kingdom including the Queen and the King practiced charitable activities when the baby was in the mother’s womb. King believed that the generous soul made all these good events happen. Hence, he felt Dharmanath would remain as the apt name for the baby.

The child grew as a handsome individual. He got married and lived a simple life. He always preferred practicing spiritual penance. His father decided to crown him the kingship. Thus, doing so, King Bhanuraja left to the jungle to do religious penance.

Dharmanath – Ascetic life

Dharmanatha ruled the country for several years. Slowly over a period, he started feeling detached. He could see his past birth through his deep meditation. He spoke to his mother Queen Suvrata Devi about his thoughts. He explained that he has a purpose for his birth. He told her his previous birth and his Diksha. Hence with his mother’s consent, he left the kingdom to embrace austerity. After reaching Ratanpur, he meditated under the Dadhiparan tree, and there he attained Omniscience.

Nirvana

He started preaching the principles of Jain philosophy. Sudarshan Baldev and Vasudev Purush Simha attended his first spiritual discourse. They felt the vibration and followed him sincerely until they attained Diksha from Dharmanath.

He preached the right conduct, right knowledge and right action to his disciples. From his first speech, he insisted on the negatives about attachment. Not only possession of materials but emotional attachment also causes pain. One must remember to know the difference between duty and expectation. Perform duty without any expectation. To attain moksha, one must get detached from the worldly life.

If failing to give away obsession, then one cannot escape from the ocean of cycles of death and birth. The ultimate goal of life should be to attain Nirvana. Many people followed his path of renunciation. Few lucky souls also got Diksha from Dharmanath.

He meditated deeply and attained Nirvana Sammed Shikhar.

Conclusion

Symbol of Dharmanatha is Vajra. The temple at Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state in India is built in showing homage to Bhagwan Dharmanath. The name of the temple is Hutheesing Jain temple. It was believed to be constructed in the year 1848 AD. Even today Jain people visit this temple at least once in their lifetime.

Bhagavan Dharmanath urged people to shun ardor and look for liberation. Godly Souls like Tirthankaras purify their mother land. They also offer salvation to people who reach out to them. Also, they encourage all to follow a simple life and attain Mukti.

Every human life gets uplifted only because of the mere presence of such celestial souls. India is a lucky country to have such Tirthankaras. Self-realised souls always make their existence purposeful. One must know the difference between right and wrong to attain peace and thus salvation. Knowing alone will not suffice but also should follow the path of righteous to get liberated from the chain of birth and death cycle.

Bhagwan Dharmanath was the fifteenth Tirthankara of the fifth Ara of Avsarpini Kaal. Every half cycle of Kalachakra has set of 24 Tirthankaras. These pure souls consistently work towards purifying the land.

Family
Father:	Bhanu
Mother:	Suvrata
Dynasty:	Ikshvaku
Places
Birth:	Ratnapuri
Nirvana:	Sammed Shikhar
Attributes
Colour:	Golden
Symbol:	Vajra
Height:	45 dhanusha (135 meters)
Age:	1,000,000 years
Attendant Gods
Yaksha:	Kinnar
Yaksini:	Pannga