Shree Shanti Nath 16th Jain Thithankar

Shree Shanti Nath 16th Jain Tirthankar

God creates people in the highly dignified state due to every individual’s past karma. When one practices rigorous spiritual penance for continuous three births, they reach the highly renowned state. Tirthankaras are blessed souls who come to earth as a human being with the purpose of helping people get liberated from the worldly life.

Jain religion believes that the celestial calendar is endless. Which means universe can neither be created nor destroyed. The Time cycle also called a Kalachakra keeps revolving tirelessly. The twelve Aras of the Kalachakra is part of two kaals namely Utsarpini and Avsarpini.

Currently, in Avsarpini Kaal, the fifth Ara is happening. After 21000 years this Ara will come to an end. Then Sixth Ara will start. This process is a continuous process. The twelve Aras do not have equal duration. Between every half cycle, the incarnation of twenty-four Tirthankaras will happen to purify the land.

Birth and Childhood of Shantinath

Bhagwan Shantinath due to his past karmas he has different births. He was born as Shrisen at one period and as Vajrayudh during another period. Due to the upliftment of the soul, he was born as Meghrath. He was born to King Dhanrath who was ruling the Pundarikini town located in Mahavideh area. King Dhanrath crowned his son and embraced asceticism. King Meghrath was a humble king.

He took care of his citizens. He practiced real meditation. God’s were pleased by his act and praised him for his perseverance. But Surup and Atirup, the wives of Lord Indra did not like their husband praising King Meghrath. So they decided to spoil his virtue. They came to the land to allure him. They tried all possible tricks to make him fall at their feet. But all went in vain. They finally accepted their defeat and bowed to him with respect. They asked for his pardon and went back to heaven. He then crowned his son to take over as the King and obtained Diksha from Arhat Dhanrath.

Shantinath due to his karma after receiving Diksha and completing his age was reincarnated in the Sarvarthasiddha dimension of the Gods. After completing that, his soul descended the womb of Queen Achira of Hastinapur. King Vishwasen of Ikshvaku clan was ruling Hastinapur. At one time there was a massive flood in the kingdom. People suffered because of torrential rains. When the situation relaxed a little, the Queen slept peacefully. She dreamt about fourteen fortunate things that night. She came to meet the king in the morning to brief her dream.

The King was consulting his secretary, ministers, and religious leaders about the situation in the country. He got to know that an epidemic disease is spreading in the country – the after-effect of the flood. No medicine cured it, and many people died. King was unhappy and promised that he would not eat or drink anything until God helps his people to overcome the terrible situation. He was very adamant, and one day God decided to meet him. The kings of god’s, Lord Indra, met him and told not to worry. Hastinapur is blessed with three wish fulfilling virtues namely the Kanadhenu, Kalpavriksha, and Chintamani. So nothing can harm people. But the king refused to get convinced and told that he is worried about his people health.

Finally, God called the Queen to come. She waited all these days to talk to the king about her dreams. Now she spoke to the King about her dream. Then God told the king that the kingdom is blessed to have a Tirthankara. God also advised the King to go and meet his people with the Queen. The divine soul in the Queen’s womb will cure all diseases.

King and the Queen obeyed God’s order and soon realized that all people were saved from all miseries. Peace resumed back. All were happy about the situation. The Queen gave birth to a boy baby on the thirteenth day of the waning moon of the Jyeshta month. King named the child as Shantinath. Because of the presence of the child in the mother’s womb offered peace from all calamities. Shanti means peace. The child then grew as a prince. The king made his son Shantinath the king and left to the forest to embrace asceticism. Shantinath liked to live a simple life but since he is aware that one can work against nature. Hence he got married and started ruling the Kingdom.

During one time a celestial disc appeared in the place where all weapons were kept. People began to worship the weapon. Surprisingly the arm started moving towards the East direction. Shantinath started to follow the weapon. Many Kings surrendered to Shantinath on their way following the weapon. Hence became the Chakravarti. He ruled the country very powerfully. He had a boy baby and named him Chakrayudh.

Shantinath – Ascetic Life

He was doing his duty with contentment. But slowly he was circled with questions about his life. He began to think about his past life. He soon realized his purpose of life. He decided to crown his son Chakrayudh and leave the kingdom. Many people followed him in asceticism. He practiced spiritual penance under Nandi tree. After a year of practicing eternal ascetic life, he attained omniscience under the Nandi tree. He encountered several problems during his tenure, and everything fell at his feet finally. His omniscience happened in a Shukla Paksham (Period between the New moon and full moon) of the Paush month.

Nirvana

He started preaching people about Jain principles. All his family members including his mother, wife, and son attended his first speech. Due to the impact of his speech, Chakrayudh also decided to obtain Diksha from Shantinath.

His preaching continued about ahimsa, love, and compassion. He educated people about detachment, discipline and finally self-realization.

His Nirvana happened on the Krishna Paksham (waning moon) of the Jyeshta month at Sammed Shikhar.

Conclusion

Bhagwan Shantinath represented the symbol Deer. Bhagavan Shantinath came to this world with the purpose of uplifting humanity and helping them attain liberation.

Elevated souls like Bhagwan Shantinath were born to relieve people from desolation and misery. They worked towards enlightening every individual about the ways to attain peace.

Family
Father:	Visvasena
Mother:	Acira
Dynasty:	Ikshvaku
Places
Birth:	Hastinapura
Nirvana:	Sammed Shikhar
Attributes
Colour:	Golden
Symbol:	Deer
Height:	40 dhanusha (120 meters)
Age:	100,000 years
Attendant Gods
Yaksha:	Garud
Yaksini:	Nirvani