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Rishabhanatha

Rishabhanatha, also known as Adinath or Adishvara, is a central figure in Jainism and is regarded as the first Tirthankara of the present cosmic time cycle (avasarpini). In Jain tradition he is considered the founder of the spiritual succession that continues through the 24 Tirthankaras.

Life and lineage: He is traditionally described as the son of King Nabhi and Queen Marudevi and

Spiritual path: Rishabhanatha is said to have renounced worldly life after an early youth and to have

Moksha and legacy: According to Jain texts, he ultimately attained moksha and departed from the mortal world.

Iconography and worship: In Jain art, Rishabhanatha is symbolized by the bull, which serves as his emblem.

is
said
to
have
been
born
in
Ayodhya,
in
the
Ikshvaku
dynasty.
He
is
associated
with
the
origin
of
the
Bharata
lineage,
with
his
son
Bharata
said
to
have
given
his
name
to
the
land
of
Bharatavarsha.
Legends
credit
him
with
establishing
social
and
economic
order,
including
agriculture,
crafts,
and
civilization.
practiced
deep
austerities.
He
attained
kevala
jnana
(omniscience)
and
became
a
Tirthankara
who
preached
the
Jain
path
to
liberation,
organizing
a
community
of
monks
and
lay
followers.
His
life
serves
as
a
template
for
the
subsequent
Tirthankaras,
with
Ajitnath
described
as
his
successor.
He
is
venerated
across
Jain
communities,
with
temples
and
pilgrim
sites
honoring
him
in
both
the
Digambara
and
Śvetāmbara
traditions.