Ajitanatha

Ajitanatha
2nd Jain Tirthankara
Lord Ajitanatha (Mathura Chaurasi)
Venerated in	Jainism
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	Ayodhya
Died	Shikharji
Parents	Jitasatru (father) Vijayadevi (mother)

Ajitnatha (lit. invincible) was the second tirthankara of the present age, avasarpini (half time cycle) according to Jainism. He 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.

Life

Ajitnatha (lit. invincible) was the second tirthankara of the present age, avasarpini (half time cycle) according to Jainism.

Ajitnatha was born in the town of Saketa to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty on magha-shukla-dashmi (the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Magha). His height was 450 dhanusha (1350 meters) and he lived for a span of 72 lakh purva.

He attained kevala jnana under the sal tree and Moksha on chaitra-shukla-panchmi (fifth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra) from Shikharji.

Simhasena was his chief Ganadhara.

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.

Ajinatha is associated with his Elephant emblem, Saptha-parna tree, Mahayaksha Yaksha and Yogini & Ajithabala Yakshis.

Literature

The Ajitha purana, by Ranna narrates the story of Ajitanatha.

Famous Temple

• Taranga Jain Temple : It is around 900 years old.
• Vasai Jain Temple in Bhadresar, Gujarat
• Bandhaji

Gallery

• 
  Vasai Jain Temple
• 
  Tarangaji, Gujarat (1121 AD) constructed by King Kumarapala
• 
  Tirthankara (possibly Ajitanatha), India, Southern Rajasthan, c. 12th century, marble
• 
  Ajitnatha idol in Bhand Dewal along with Neminath and Shreyanasanatha dated back to 11th century
• 
  Ajitnath Tonk, Shikharji
• 
  Footprint at Ajitnath Tonk, Shikharji

See also

• Arihant (Jainism)
• Ikshvaku dynasty
• Ajitha purana

References

Sources

• Johnson, Helen M. (1931), Ajitanathacaritra (Book 2 of the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra), Baroda Oriental Institute
• Jain, Vijay K. (2015), Acarya Samantabhadra's Svayambhustotra: Adoration of The Twenty-four Tirthankara, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 978-81-903639-7-6, archived from the original on 16 September 2015, This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
• Krishna, Nanditha; Amirthalingam, M. (2014) [2013], Sacred Plants of India, Penguin Books, ISBN 978-9-351-18691-5
• 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
• Tukol, T. K. (1980), Compendium of Jainism, Dharwad: University of Karnataka