In Jain tradition, King Shrenik (also known as Bimbisara) of Magadha is a prominent royal devotee of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar. According to Jain texts, Shrenik Raja was curious about his future spiritual progress and asked Mahavira which gotra or lineage he would be born into as a Tirthankar in a future life.

Tirthankar Naam Gotra: The term “Tirthankar Naam Gotra” refers to the special karmic bond or naam-karma that leads a soul to become a Tirthankar in a future birth. It is one of the 8 types of naam-karma (physique-determining karma) that shape the body and status of a soul. When a soul acquires the Tirthankar-naam-karma, it is destined to be born as a Tirthankar in a future birth.

Reason: King Shrenik earned great punya (merit) due to his devotion to Lord Mahavira and his practice of Jain dharma. However, according to Jain scriptures, he did not immediately acquire the Tirthankar-naam-gotra karma in his present birth because of certain remaining passions (kashayas) and karmic bonds. Lord Mahavira predicted that after undergoing several more births and after purification of his soul, Shrenik would eventually acquire the Tirthankar-naam-gotra karma and become a Tirthankar named Mahapadma in the next Utsarpini (ascending half) of the time cycle.

Summary:

• Shrenik Raja will become a Tirthankar named Mahapadma in the future.
• He will acquire the Tirthankar-naam gotra karma due to his devotion, merits, and spiritual progress.
• This process is described in Jain Agamas, notably in Uttaradhyayana Sutra and other commentaries.

References:

• Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Jain Agamas
• Bhagavati Sutra
• Hemchandra’s Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Charitra

Let me know if you would like more details about the Tirthankar-naam-gotra karma or the story of Shrenik Raja!