The images of the Tîrthakaras are always represented seated with their
legs crossed in front—the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee
of the other; and the right hand lies over the left in the lap. All are
represented exactly alike except that Pârśvanâtha, the twenty-third,
has the snake-hoods over him; and, with the Digambaras, Supârśva—the
seventh, has also a smaller group of snake hoods. The Digambara images are
all quite nude; those of the Śvetâmbaras are represented as clothed,
and they decorate them with crowns and ornaments. They are distinguished
from one another by their attendant _Yakshas_ and _Yakshiṇîs_
as well as by their respective _chihnas_ or cognizances which are
carved on the cushion of the throne.
All the Jinas are ascribed to the Ikshvâku family (_kula_)except the
twentieth Munisuvrata and twenty-second Neminâtha, who were of the
Harivaṃśa race.
All received _dîkshà_ or consecration at their native places; and all
obtained _jńâna_ or complete enlightenment at the same, except
Ṛishabha who became a _Kevalin_ at Purimatàla, Nemi at Girnâr, and
Mahâvîra at the Rijupàlukà river; and twenty of them died or obtained
_moksha_ (deliverance in bliss) on Sameta-Śikhara or Mount
Pârśvanâtha in the west of Bengal. But Ṛishabha, the first, died on
Ashṭâpada—supposed to be Śatruñljaya in Gujarât; Vâsupûjya died at
Champâpuri in north Bengal; Neminâtha on mount Girnâr; and Mahâvîra, the
last, at Pâvâpur.
Twenty-one of the Tîrthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the
Kâyotsarga (Guj. _Kâüsagga_) posture, and Ṛishabha, Nemi, and
Mahâvira on the _padmâsana_ or lotus throne.
For sake of brevity the following particulars for each Arhat are given
below in serial order viz.:—
(1) The _vimâna_ or _vâhana_ (heaven) from which he
descended for incarnation.
(2) Birthplace, and place of consecration or _dîkshâ_.
(3) Names of father and mother.
(4) Complexion.
(5) Cognizance—_chihna_ or _lâñchhaṇa_.
(6) Height; and
(7) Age.
(8) Dîksha-vriksha or Bodhi tree.
(9) Yaksha and Yakshiṇî, or attendant spirits.
(10) First Ganadhara or leading disciple, and first
Âryâ or leader of the female converts.
I. Ṛishabhadeva, Vṛishabha, Âdinthâ or Adiśvara Bhagavân:—(I)
Sarvârthasiddha; (2) Vinittanagarî in Kośalâ and Purimatâla;
(3) Nâbhîrâjâ by Marudevâ; (4) golden—_varṇa_-, (5)the
bull,—_vṛisha, balada;_ (6) 500 poles or _dhanusha_;
(7) 8,400,000 pûrva or great years; (8) the Vaṭa or banyan tree;
(9) Gomukha and Chakreśvarî; (10) Pundarîka and Brahmî.
II. Ajitanâtha: (1) Vijayavimàna; (2) Ayodhyâ; (3) Jitaśatru by
Vijayâmâtâ; (4) golden; (5) the elephant—_gaja_ or _hasti_;
(6) 450 poles; (7)7,200,000 pûrva years; (8) Śâla—the Shorea robusta;
(9) Mahâyaksha and Ajitabalâ: with the Digambaras, the Yakshiṇî is
Rohiṇî-yakshî; (10) Śiṁhasena and Phâlgu.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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