What's the story of parshwanath bhagwan
Parshwanath Bhagwan is the 23rd Tirthankar in Jainism. Here is a simple, traditional outline of his life and teaching:
- Birth and royal beginnings: Parshwanath was born in a royal family in ancient India (traditions vary on exact details, but he is commonly said to be born in a city like Varanasi to king Ashvasena and queen Vamadevi). From early on, he showed compassion and detachment from worldly pleasures.
- Renunciation: At around the age of 30, he left the royal life and became a monk, taking up severe penances and deep meditation.
- Four great vows: He established the path of moral discipline, emphasizing the four vows: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). Mahavira later added the fifth vow (celibacy), but Parshwanath is known for laying the foundation through these four.
- Kevala jnana: After years of ascetic practice, Parshwanath attained kevala jnana (omniscience) and became a Tirthankar, guiding others toward liberation.
- Moksha: He is traditionally believed to have attained moksha on Sammed Shikhar (Parasnath Hill) in present-day Jharkhand, where his soul remains a Siddha, free from the cycle of birth and death.
- Symbol and devotion: He is often depicted with a canopy of serpent hoods over his head, symbolizing protection and his connection with Dharanendra and Padmavati, the serpent guardian deities in Jain tradition. His teachings and life inspire the Jain emphasis on non-violence, truth, non-attachment, and spiritual discipline.
If you’d like a concise, devotional retelling from Jain scriptures, you can read a focused account here: You can read more here