| 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 |
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.
Life and legends
According to Jain tradition, Pushpadanta (also widely known as Suvidhinatha) is venerated as the ninth tirthankara of the present cosmic age (avasarpini).12 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.32 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).45
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
In 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.1011 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).1011
Temples and legacy
As 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
References
References
Citations
- Dundas 2002, p. 40.
- Tukol 1980, p. 31.
- Natubhai Shah 2004, p. 16.
- Wiley 2009, p. 240.
- Finegan 1952, p. 190.
- Jaini 1998, p. 30.
- Cort 2001a, p. 23.
- Titze & Bruhn 1998, p. 250.
- Umakant P. Shah 1987, p. 143.
- Umakant P. Shah 1987, pp. 143–144.
- Tandon 2002, p. 44.
- Tandon 2002, p. 45.
Sources
- 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