Shree Malli Nath
19th Jain Tirthankar
A Tirthankara is born on the earth as an individual being. They have
attained a glorified state due to intense spiritual practices during
their different lifetimes. Hence they signify as an ultimate soul.
Since they have achieved the greatest sacred purpose of human life,
they offer support to others to cross the sea of Samsara bondage.
The Jain cosmic calendar has two kaals Utsarpini and Avsarpini. Each
kaal has six Ara. Currently, the fifth Ara of Avsarpini is happening.
After it gets over completing all its 21000 years, the sixth Ara will
begin. This time cycle will keep continuing as a never ending process.
Mallinath, the 19th Tirthankara among the set of 24
Tirthankaras. Digambar tradition believes that Mallinatha as a male. But
the Shwetambars consider Mallinath as the only female Tirthankara.
Birth and Childhood of Mallinath
Mallinath was born as King Mahabal of Vitshoka during her previous
birth. At that time he was closely associated with six Kings. All seven
of them were so tightly attached. After ruling their respective kingdoms
for many years, they decided to embrace an ascetic life. All seven
obtained Diksha from Varadharma Muni. Then they started their religious
penances earnestly.
King Mahabal was carried away by his power and always wanted to be
number one. This ego made him practice penance secretly more than his
friends. But he will always pretend in front of them. This act of King
Mahabal gave him another birth, and he was born as a woman. But due to
the sincere spiritual attachment, along with all the six kings again he
was reincarnated in the Anuttar dimension of celestial beings.
Then that soul entered the womb of Queen Prabhavati. Queen Prabhavati
and King Kumbh ruled Mithila. Queen dreamt fourteen things in her
dream, and thus the King confirmed her that a Tirthankara would be born
to them. She happily celebrated her pregnancy. All through her maternity
smell of flowers attracted her. From the third month, the Queen slept
in a flower bed with five different fragrances.
On the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksham (waxing moon) of the
Margashirsh month, the Queen delivered a baby girl. All were happy to
see the beauty of the girl. Also, all felt surprised to know that the
girl is going to become a Tirthankara for the first time. King named the
girl as Malli Kumari. This was the apt name as the Queen yearned for
flowers when she was pregnant.
The girl grew as a princess. She was so beautiful that all King loved
her and all women envied her beauty. One day Malli happened to advise a
beggar lady and asked her not to beg for food instead work to earn
food. This lady by name Choksha did not like Malli and felt she had an
ego about her beauty and richness. She decided to take vengeance against
her. She met all the six Kings; they were King Mahabal’s friends during
Malli’s previous birth. She motivated the kings to marry Princess
Mallikumari.
All the kings sent a note to King Kumbh asking him to get her
daughter married to them. They also mentioned that failing to do so they
would wage war against him. King was worried about this. How could he
marry his daughter to six kings? He was also concerned about his
subjects if those kings waged war against his kingdom. Looking at his
father’s concern, Malli came forward and told him to invite all kings to
the kingdom. King Kumbh asked how she can marry all kings. She answered
that she would manage and told his father to call all six after fifteen
days. She did mention him that no one should know about the arrival of
the other king. Father saw the spark in Malli’s eyes and confidently did
as told by her.
In the meantime, Malli made a golden statue resembling her exactly.
It was hollow, and she filled it all with food. Then the day has come.
All kings came. When they saw each other, they got furious on King
Kumbh. But King Kumbh said that Malli wanted to meet them all. They went
to meet Malli, and she greeted them all from behind the statue. They
mistook that the statue for Malli and stood stunned to see her beauty.
Slowly Malli opened the hollow statue, and bad smell started emanated
from it. Food stored for fifteen days had decayed and hence bad odour.
The smell suffocated them, and they asked her why she was doing like
that.
Now Malli came in front of them and spoke. She asked them the motive
behind marrying her. It was only for the body and the beauty. She
explained to them that the body would smell like the rotten food after
some time as it is just made of flesh. But the inner soul will always
remain fresh. They felt guilty on their act. Also, Malli reminded them
about their previous birth and friendship with King Mahabal. Then they
realised everything and agreed to follow Malli to attain Nirvana.
Mallinath – Ascetic Life
Malli Kumari along with six kings and many disciples embraced an
ascetic life. She left the kingdom and practised scrupulous sacred
penances. She obtained Vipulmati Manahparyav Gyan and began to meditate
deeply. She achieved omniscience on the same day in the afternoon.
Nirvana
She started spreading Jain philosophy. She taught people the power of
love, ahimsa, and brotherhood. The six Kings obtained Diksha form
Mallinath and followed her path.
After preaching the tenets of Jain religion, on the 4th
day of the Shukla Paksham (the period between the New moon and full
moon) of the Chaitra month she achieved Nirvana at Sammet Shikhar Ji.
Conclusion
Symbol of Mallinath is Kalash. (A Jar). Bhagavan Mallinath worked
towards the liberation of self and all her disciples. She taught them
the path of Mukti. She made all people understand the purpose of
existence and showed the way to salvation.
The notable thing about such a noble soul of Mallinath is, she is the
only female Tirthankara. Bhagavan Mallinath was born to enable humanity
to attain their purest form by giving away all material possession.
India is a fortunate country to have such realised souls.
| Father: | Kumbha |
|---|---|
| Mother: | Rakshita |
| Dynasty: | Ikshvaku |
| Birth: | Mithilapuri |
| Nirvana: | Sammed Shikhar |
| Colour: | Blue |
| Symbol: | Urn or Kalasa  |
| Height: | 25 dhanusha (75 meters) |
| Age: | 55,000 years |
| Yaksha: | Kuber |
| Yaksini: | Vairotya |
Shree Malli Nath 19th Jain Thithankar
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Oleh
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