Ashtapad is one of the greatest tirth of our jainism which is now lost. Many jain purans mention about this tirth, and it says that it is stituated in serene Himalyan Ranges. The first Tirthankar Bhagawan Shri Rishabhadev had attained nirvana on the Ashtapad Mountain. Shri Ashtapad Tirth is one of the major Tirths and it is located in a tranquil region of the Himalayas. Chakravarti King Bharat (son of Shri Rishabhadev) had built a palace with precious stones at this place as a memorial to commemorate the nirvana of Bhagawan Shri Rishabhadev. The name “Ashtapad” is derived from the fact that there are eight (Ashta) steps (Pad) leading to the palace. The following legend associated with Ashtapad describes the absolute knowledge of the Tirthankars. Once after attaining absolute knowledge, Shri Rishabhadev Bhagawan was delivering a sermon while seated in Samavasaran. Out of curiosity, King Bharat asked if any human being living here would become a Tirthankar in the future. He replied affirmatively and said that his son Marichi will become the 24 th Tirthankar after many life cycles and will be known as Mahavir. He subsequently explained the upcoming Chovisi (24 Tirthankars). This is how King Bharat came to know the details about the present Chovisi.

The Ekadash Angadi Agam, oldest text, mentions Ashtqapad as Maha-Tirth. Acharanga Niryukti, verse 332 was the first to mention Ashtapad Tirth. Sutra Krutangasutra mentions that Rishabhadev gave discourse to his son, King Bharat, on Ashtapad. Uttaradhyayan Sutra Niryukti says that anyone (Charam Shariri) who can scale Ashtapad Tirth will attain nirvana or Moksha (Chapter 10) and describes the Kailasa as a Mountain of Gold and Silver. Avashyak Sutra Niryukti has the description of Ashtapad. Kalpasutra mentions Nirvana Bhoomi of Rishabhadev at Ashtapad. Nishith Churni Divine has a description about Nirvana of Rishabhadev Bhagawan on Ashtapad Mountain. Vividh Tirth Kalpa - Jinaprabha Suri wrote in Ashtapad Giri Kalpa, that Gautam Swami entered Sinha Nishadhya Prasad from the South. Acharya Dharma Ghosh Suriji's “Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth Kalp” describes this Tirth as Sinha Nishadhya Prasad which has four sides.Gyan Prakash Deeparnave discusses the construction of Ashtapad in detail Uttar Puran has the description of Jain Tirthankar Rishabhadev and that, his son, King Bharat, constructed a golden temple with 72 idols of all the three Chovisis (24 Tirthankars of Past, Present, and Future). Bhagawan Mahavir once said during his sermon that any human being, who can scale this mountain and stay overnight there, will attain liberation in his life time. Shri Gautam Swami, 2600 years ago, scaled this Tirth with his special powers, stayed over night and worshiped there. Gautam Swami wrote the first two verses of Jag Chintämani Sutra there (Probodh Tika Part 1). Shadavashyak Balavabodha mentions that he performed Chaitya Vandan with the first two verses of Jag-Chintamani Sutra. Vasudevhindi in the 21st chapter says this mountain is related to Vaitadhya Mountain, it is 8 miles in height and Niyadi River is flowing at the foothills.

During the third Ara (era), King Nabhiraj and Queen Marudevi ruled over the land of Bharat Kshetra. One night the Soul of Bhagawan Rishabhadev descended from heaven and entered the womb of Queen Marudevi. At that moment she had 14 auspicious dreams. In due time, the Queen gave birth to a son on the 8 th day of second half of the month of Chaitra. Indra Dev carried the God to Mount Meru and celebrated the bathing ceremony. On the 12 th day Indra named him Rishabha as Marudevi Mata had Vrishabh (ox) as her first dream. Shri Rishabha became King after Nabhiräj. He ruled well and taught Asi, Masi and Krishi i.e. various arts, crafts, languages, commerce, agriculture, and self defense to the people & established a good society. As life went by, he decided to renounce the world. He donated all his worldly possessions for 1 year (Varsi Däna) and at the end, after 2 days of fasting he took a solemn oath of renunciation from worldly matters. He plucked his hair, became a mo nk and bowed down to all liberated Souls.

As a monk Rishabhadev went for Gochari (food) from house to house continuously for about 13 months, but people were ignorant and did not offer any food instead they offered gold and other valuable items, which he could not accept. At last wh en Rishabhadev reached the city of Hastinapur in northern India, King Shreyans Kumar bowed down and offered him fresh sugarcane juice in Gochari. Rishabhadev consumed 108 pots of juice without spilling a single drop, as the King poured the offering in his palms. The entire universe resounded with words “Aho Danam” meaning “best gift”. This day is known as Akshaya Tritiya. Since then, the tradition of Varsi Tapa penance and its fast breaking ceremony “Parna” has been followed.

Bhagawan Rishabhadev traveled extensiv ely for many years. All along he led an austere life, walking barefoot and engaging Himself in the meditation of self. After fasting for three consecutive days (Attham Tapa), while sitting under a banyan tree in deep meditation, he attained Keval-Jnan (absolute knowledge). Indra and other gods thronged there to celebrate the fourth Kalyanak (Keval-Jnan). They constructed a divine Assembly Hall known as Samavasaran for Rishabhadev’s first sermon. When he learnt that his life is coming to an end, he went to Mount Ashtapad along with 10,000 monks for Santhara (fasting unto death). After six days of fasting, Bhagawan attained Nirvana and became Siddha, a pure soul.

When Bhagawan Mahavir established the Chaturvidha Sangha (a society consisting of Shri SAdhus (monks), SAdhvis (nuns), Shravak, and Shravika (household people) at Pavapuri, Indrabhuti Gautam was the first disciple of Bhagawan Mahavir along with his 500 followers. Once Bhagawan Mahavir said in his sermon, “A person who scales Ashtapad and offers prayers to all 24 Tirthankars attains liberation (Moksha) in the same life”. When Gautam Swami learned this, he decided to go to Ashtäpad after seeking permission from Bhagawan Mahavir.
When he arrived at the bottom of the Ashtapad Mountain, he saw 3 ascetics, with 500 disciples each trying to scale Mount Ashtapad. One group could climb only up to the 1st step, the other group climbed only up to the 2 nd step and the third stopped at the 3 rd step. None of them could climb further. With the help of sp iritual power (Atma-Labhdhi), Gautam Swami scaled the Ashtapad Mountain by holding the sunrays as a rope. He offered his prayers to all the 24 Tirthankars and stayed there overnight. There he compiled the first two verses of Jagachintamani Sutra. That night a heavenly god named Vaishraman (Tiryank Jrumbhak dev, in one of the previous life of a great sage Vajra-swami) also came there to worship. He saw Gautam Swami who looked very handsome and healthy. He thought how can this monk do penance and still look this healthy. Gautam Swami read his mind and told the story of Pundarik
and Kandarik and explained that an emaciated body is not the indication of penance. But to control the soul through meritorious meditation is real penance. This way he cleared the doubt of the heavenly god. Next morning when he came down, all 1503 Tapas were impressed by his achievement and wanted to be his disciples. Gautam Swami insisted that they should be Bhagawan Mahavir’s disciples. However due to their earnest desire he initiated them. As all the Tapas were fasting for 3 days, Gautam Swami arranged for Kheer (rice cooked in milk) Parna. Even though the quantity of Kheer was not enough, due to his spiritual power he could feed Kheer to all of them by putting his thumb in the vessel. During Parna, 501 Tapas, now ascetics, became Kevali. On the way, Gautam Swami gave a description of Mahavir Swami, listening to which another 501 tapas became Kevali. Upon arrival, they saw Mahavir Swami in Samavasaran, and the remaining 501 tapas became Kevali. At that time, Gautam Swami asked all Tapas to sit along with other Sadhus. Then Bhagawän Mahavir said, “Gautam! You need to bow to these Kevalis.” Now Gautam Swami realized that all the Tapas had become Kevali.

This was the story about our Lost Tirth Ashtapad. There are many such stories and facts about this tirth we will bring them to you soon.