Shree Nami Nath
21th Jain Tirthankar
A Tirthankara is a person who attains a princely state. They get the
credit for being a Tirthankara in recognition to their passionate sacred
practices in different lifetimes. They indicate the eventual clean
developed status of the soul. Due to the blessings obtained from God,
they can support all human being to the cross the ocean of endless
cycles of birth and death.
Jain custom firmly believes that the Universe can neither be created
nor destroyed. The period is countless, and different Aras continues for
some years and keeps moving in a sequence. The two Kaals namely
Avsarpini (regressive period) and Utsarpini (successive cycle) have six
different years.
Present age according to Jain scriptures is the fifth Ara of
Avsarpini Kaal. It seems it has completed 19000 years and will end after
finishing 21000 years. Sixth Ara will continue for 21000 years. Then
the first Ara of Utsarpini will exist for 21000 years. Second Ara will
start after that. This process will carry on in a sequence.
Utsarpini and Avsarpini are called one-half cycle each. During every
half cycle, 24 Tirthankaras will prevail for several years and attain
Nirvana.
Birth and childhood of Naminath
Naminath was incarnated as King Siddharth in his previous birth. He
resided in the town of Kshambi situated in the eastern Mhavideh. He led a
religious life and delivered all his duty as a King. He obtained Diksha
and was born as a divine soul in the Aparajit dimension. Finally, his
soul descended the womb of Queen Vipra and King Vijay Raja.
King Vijay was ruling the Mithila kingdom of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
During the month of Shravan on the eighth day of the waning moon, Queen
Vipra had a dream with fourteen auspicious things in it. She saw an
elephant with four tusks, Milk Ocean, golden urn and much more. She was
quite excited and eager to interpret her dream. She decided to talk to
the king in the morning. When she met the king and told about her dream,
he augured the future. He said with rejoicing that the queen is going
to deliver a divine soul who will be the twenty-first Tirthankara. Queen
Vipra was very happy.
All through her pregnancy, many countries waged war against Mithila.
But King Vijay always preferred peace in his kingdom. So he consulted a
renowned priest, and he revealed the truth that the holy soul in the
Queen’s womb can resolve this issue. The Queen must reach the top of
the palace and look at the attackers. The soul in her womb with its
grace will spread calmness in all enemies mind. The king followed the
same and to his surprise that all kings surrendered and bowed in front
of King Vijay. King was happy that his child’s soul even before birth
was able to provide serenity in the mind of all.
The Queen gave birth to a boy baby on the eighth day of Krishna
Paksham (Paksham means fortnight) of the Shravan month. The period
between new moon and the full moon is referred as Krishna Paksham. Since
the baby spread peace across the country, the king named the baby as
Naminath. The child enjoyed his childhood. He grew up as a wise man. He
was intelligent and humble. He got married and soon started ruling the
kingdom. The king coronated him and left to the forest to embrace an
ascetic life.
Naminath – Ascetic Life
Naminath did his duty as a king very valiantly. All people admired
his kingship. Over a period he started realising his real purpose of
birth. He witnessed his previous births and karmas. Thus he moved away
from the kingdom to lead an ascetic life. He gave his kingdom to his
son. Many people followed his path. On the ninth day of the waning moon
of the Ashadh month, he began his journey to embrace austerity. After
several years of actual holy practices, he attained Omniscience. He
achieved Nirvana under the Bakul tree in a garden located close to
Mithila.
Nirvana
He started his preaching about Jain philosophy. He briefed the tenets
of Jain religion to his disciples. He first addressed the people about
right opinion. In that discourse, he spoke about self-awareness. One
must understand self and have the right view about them. This
self-realization will lead to liberation. Many got enlightened in his
talk and embraced asceticism.
He always insisted his disciples to firmly show love, kindness and
ahimsa towards every living being. Only through non-violence one can win
over the inner ill qualities like greed, envy etc. After giving up all
attachment, one can attain liberation. His preaching helped many to
attain salvation.
Finally, on the tenth day of the waning moon of the Vaisakh month, he accomplished his goal of reaching Nirvana.
Temples Built for Bhagavan Naminath in India
- In Maharashtra state, Alibaug city and Khandala city – Naminath Jain temple
- In Gujarat state, Surat city – Naminath Jain Temple, Kailashnagar
- In Gujarat state, Karjan city – Naminath Jain Temple, Juna Bazar
- In Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho city, Naminath Jinalaya Temple
Conclusion
According to Jain beliefs, Bhagavan Naminath was born around 584, 979
BCE. He turned out to be a Siddha. Siddha’s are a liberated soul who
destroys all their past karmas and attains Nirvana.
Bhagavan Naminath’s symbol is Neel Kamal (blue lotus). Bhagavan
Naminath’s incarnation happened to redeem humankind from the perpetual
cycles of birth and rebirth. They help them achieve self-realization to
reach salvation from all worldly miseries.
Bhagavan Naminath encouraged his disciples to rise above the sophisticated burden and accomplish inspiring heights.
Celestial souls like Bhagavan Naminath were born in the earth to
cleanse every soul’s mind. India is a blessed country to have great
souls in every half cycle to purify the world. Purification can happen
only when everyone understands the purpose of life and get relieved from
the mundane existence.
Great souls not only preach lessons but live as models and even after
their body leaves the earth their valuable teachings help every person
to follow the disciplined path during their lifetime.
Father: | Vijaya |
---|---|
Mother: | Vapra (Vipra) |
Dynasty: | Ikshvaku |
Birth: | Mithilapuri (Mathura) |
Nirvana: | Sammed Shikhar |
Colour: | Yellow |
Symbol: | Blue Lotus |
Height: | 15 dhanusha (45 meters) |
Age: | 10,000 years |
Yaksha: | Bhrukuti |
Yaksini: | Gandhari |
Shree Nami Nath 21th Jain Tirthankar
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Oleh
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