Padmavati Mata is a Yakshini (attendant goddess) in Jainism and is closely linked with Parshvanātha, the 23rd Tirthankara.

• Identity in Jainism: She is considered Parshvanātha’s Yakshini or shasan-devī (guardian of the teaching). She is often depicted with Parshvanātha and is worshipped for protection, prosperity, and blessings. In many temples, Padmavati is paired with Dharanendra (Parshvanātha’s Yaksha) as part of the Parshvanāth cult. You can read more about her role and attributes here: .
• Differences in traditions: Both Śvetāmbaras and Digambaras accept Padmavati as Parshvanātha’s Yakshini, though iconography and ritual details (like the number of arms, vehicle, and specific offerings) can vary by region and temple tradition. A temple-focused overview is available here: .
• Why she appears in Parshvanāth temples: Padmavati, along with Dharanendra, forms the protective energy around Parshvanātha and his teachings. This triad is commonly seen in Parshvanāth temples to symbolize protection, auspiciousness, and support for practitioners. A concise explanation of her association with Parshvanāth is here: .

If you’d like, I can summarize Padmavati’s key qualities (artha) and how she is depicted differently in Digambar and Śvetāmbar traditions, using specific temple examples from JainKnowledge.com.