In Jainism, Pushpadanta (Sanskrit: पुष्पदन्त), also known as Suvidhinatha, was the ninth Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain belief, he became a siddha and an arihant, a liberated soul that has destroyed all of its karma.
| Pushpadanta | |
|---|---|
9th Jain Tirthankara | |
 Idol of Tirthankar Suvidhinath at Kakandi Tirth | |
| Other names | Suvidhinatha |
| Venerated in | Jainism |
| Predecessor | Chandraprabha |
| Successor | Shitalanatha |
| Symbol | Crocodile |
| Height | 100 bows (300 meters) |
| Age | 200,000 purva (14.112 quintillion years) |
| Color | White |
| Genealogy | |
| Born | |
| Died | |
| Parents |
|
| Dynasty | Ikṣvākuvaṁśa |
Life and legends
editAccording to Jain tradition, Pushpadanta (also widely known as Suvidhinatha) is venerated as the ninth tirthankara of the present cosmic age (avasarpini).[1][2] Jain universal history states that he was born into the ancient Ikshvaku dynasty to King Sugriva and Queen Rama in the city of Kakandi, which is identified with modern-day Khukhundoo in Uttar Pradesh.[3][2] His birth is traditionally observed on the fifth day of the Margashirsha Krishna month of the lunisolar Jain calendar.[2] Within the expansive framework of Jain cosmology, texts attribute to him a symbolic lifespan of 200,000 purvas and a physical height of 100 bows (dhanushas).[4][5]
A significant theological milestone attributed to Pushpadanta in Jain narratives is his re-establishment of the four-part monastic order (sangha) originally founded by Rishabhanatha.[6] After ruling his kingdom, traditional accounts describe him renouncing worldly attachments to become an ascetic, eventually attaining omniscience (Kevala Jnana).[3] Following his period of preaching, he ultimately achieved liberation from the cycle of rebirth (moksha) on the sacred peaks of Mount Shikharji in modern-day Jharkhand.[7]
Pushpadanta is said to have been born 90 crore sagara after his predecessor, Chandraprabha.[5] His successor, Shitalanatha, is said to have been born 9 crore sagara after him.[5]
Iconography
editIn Jain art and sculpture, Pushpadanta is traditionally depicted in a meditative posture and is distinctly identified by his white physical complexion.[8] He is explicitly recognized by his unique iconographic emblem, the crocodile or alligator (Makara), which is typically carved or stamped onto the pedestal beneath his idols.[9] As with all tirthankaras, he is depicted alongside his dedicated guardian deities (Shashan-devatas). According to both the Digambara and Śvētāmbara traditions, his accompanying male guardian deity (yaksha) is Ajita.[10][11] However, sectarian texts differ regarding his female guardian (yakshi), with the Digambara sect identifying her as Mahakali and the Śvētāmbara sect identifying her as Sutaraka (or Sutari).[10][11]
Temples and legacy
editAs the ninth tirthankara, Pushpadanta is venerated across the Indian subcontinent.[1] The ancient site of Kakandi (modern Khukhundoo in the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh), traditionally identified in Jain universal history as his royal birthplace, serves as a significant historical and geographic center for his worship.[12] The Kakandi Jain Tirth remains an important pilgrimage destination that commemorates his early life and renunciation.[12] Furthermore, marking the geographic site of his ultimate spiritual liberation, a dedicated shrine (tonk) enshrining his footprints (charan) is actively venerated by pilgrims on the peaks of Mount Shikharji.[7]
See also
edit
References
editCitations
edit- 1 2 Dundas 2002, p. 40.
- 1 2 3 Tukol 1980, p. 31.
- 1 2 Natubhai Shah 2004, p. 16.
- ↑ Wiley 2009, p. 240.
- 1 2 3 Finegan 1952, p. 190.
- ↑ Jaini 1998, p. 30.
- 1 2 Cort 2001a, p. 23.
- ↑ Titze & Bruhn 1998, p. 250.
- ↑ Umakant P. Shah 1987, p. 143.
- 1 2 Umakant P. Shah 1987, pp. 143–144.
- 1 2 Tandon 2002, p. 44.
- 1 2 Tandon 2002, p. 45.
Sources
edit- Cort, John E. (2001a), Jains in the World : Religious Values and Ideology in India, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-513234-2
- Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992], The Jains (Second ed.), London and New York: Routledge, ISBN 0-415-26605-X
- Finegan, Jack (1952), The archeology of world religions, Princeton University Press
- Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998) [1979], The Jaina Path of Purification, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-1578-5
- Shah, Natubhai (2004) [First published in 1998], Jainism: The World of Conquerors, vol. I, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-1938-1
- Shah, Umakant Premanand (1987), Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography, Abhinav Publications, ISBN 81-7017-208-X
- Tandon, Om Prakash (2002) [1968], Jaina Shrines in India (1 ed.), New Delhi: Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, ISBN 81-230-1013-3
- Titze, Kurt; Bruhn, Klaus (1998), Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence (2 ed.), Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1534-6
- Tukol, T. K. (1980), Compendium of Jainism, Dharwad: University of Karnataka
- Wiley, Kristi L. (2009) [1949], The A to Z of Jainism, vol. 38, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 978-0-8108-6337-8
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