Anantanatha
| Anantanatha | |
|---|---|
14th Jain Tirthankara | |
Idol of Anantnatha at Anantnatha Jain Temple, Narshi Natha Street, Mumbai | |
| Venerated in | Jainism |
| Predecessor | Vimalanatha |
| Successor | Dharmanatha |
| Symbol | Porcupine as per Digambara Falcon as per Śvetāmbara[1] |
| Height | 50 dhanusha (150 meters) |
| Age | 3,000,000 years |
| Color | Golden |
| Genealogy | |
| Born | |
| Died | |
| Parents |
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| Dynasty | Ikṣvākuvaṁśa |
| Part of a series on |
| Jainism |
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Anantanatha was the fourteenth Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini) of Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.
Biography
Anantanatha was the fourteenth Tirthankara of the present age (Avasarpini) of Jainism.[2] According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.His name, meaning “Infinite Lord,” symbolizes the boundlessness of spiritual liberation in Jain philosophy.[3] The Jainpedia account describes the five major kalyanakas, which are conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and liberation. These mark the sacred milestones of his life as preserved in both Svetambara and Digambara traditions.[3]
Anantanatha was born to King Sinhasena and Queen Suyasha at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty.[2] His birth date was the 13th day of the Vaishakha Krishna month of the Indian calendar. From a young age, Anantanatha exhibited signs of spiritual inclination, including detachment from worldly pleasures and an early interest in meditation and reflection, as described in Jain narratives.[3] After living a princely life, he renounced worldly attachments and undertook rigorous ascetic practices, eventually attaining kevala jñāna, or omniscience, through meditation and discipline.[3] His height is mentioned as 50 dhanusha.[4] He is said to have lived for 3,000,000 years.[4]
Anantanatha is said to have been born 9 sagara after his predecessor, Vimalanatha.[4] His successor, Dharmanatha, is said to have been born 4 sagara after him.[4]
Literature
- Ananthnatha Purana was written by Janna in 1230 CE.
Famous Temple
Anantnath Swami Temple in Kalpetta, Kerala
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Anantnath Swami Temple in Kalpetta, Kerala
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Image at Anantnath Swami Temple
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Ananthnath Temple, Madhuban
Anantanātha is venerated at several important Jain temples across India. He appears frequently in temple complexes where all 24 Tīrthankaras are represented in sequence.[3]
See also
References
Citations
- ^ Tandon 2002, p. 45.
- ^ a b Tukol 1980, p. 31.
- ^ a b c d e "Ananta – Jainpedia". jainpedia.org. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Finegan 1952, p. 190.
Sources
- Finegan, Jack (1952), The archeology of world religions, Princeton University Press
- Johnson, Helen M. (1931), Anantanathacaritra (Book 4.4 of the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra), Baroda Oriental Institute
- Tukol, T. K. (1980), Compendium of Jainism, Dharwad: University of Karnataka
- 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[1]