Ajitanatha

Ajitanatha
Lord Ajitanatha (Mathura Chaurasi)
Predecessor	Rishabhanatha
Successor	Sambhavanatha
Symbol	Elephant
Height	450 bows (1,350 meters)
Age	72 lakh purva (508.032 x 1018 years old)
Color	Golden
Genealogy
Born	Maha Sud 8, 5 x 10223 years ago Ayodhya
Died	Chaitra Sud 5 Shikharji
Parents	Jitasatru (father) Vijayadevi (mother)
Dynasty	Ikshvaku

In Jainism, Ajitnatha was the second tirthankara of the present age, avsarpini (half time cycle). The soul that became Ajitanatha, in its earlier incarnation, was the great King Vimalvahan of Susima city in Mahavideh area. He led a pious life in spite of the available princely grandeur. At an appropriate time, he became an ascetic under Arindam Suri. Ajitnatha was born to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.

As a historical figure

The Yajurveda mentions the name of Ajitanatha, but the meaning is not clear. According to Jain traditions, his younger brother was Sagara. Sagara, who became the second Chakravartin, is known from the traditions of both Hindu and Jain scriptures.

• From the Hindu source: Sagara is known to have had many sons. One of them was Bhagiratha, who brought the river Ganges.
• From the Jain source: In his last days, Sagara adopted the life of asceticism from Ajitanatha and retired from the worldly life.

Famous Temple

Taranga Jain Temple : It is around 900 years old.

Ajitnath Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra Bandhaji : It is around 1,500 years old.

Gallery

• 
  Tirthankara (possibly Ajitanatha), India, Southern Rajasthan, c. 12th century, marble
• 
  Ajitnath Tonk, Shikharji
• 
  Footprint at Ajitnath Tonk, Shikharji
• 
  Taranga (Jain Temple), Gujarat (1121 AD) constructed by Kumarapala (Solanki king)

See also

• Arihant (Jainism)
• Ikshvaku dynasty
• Ajitha purana

References

• Tukol, T. K. (1980), Compendium of Jainism, Dharwad: University of Karnataka
• Shah, Umakant Premanand (1987), Jaina-Rupa Mandana: Jaina Iconography, vol. 1, India: Shakti Malik Abhinav Publications, ISBN 81-7017-208-X