Who were Nami & Vinami?
Nami and Vinami are characters from Jain tradition. They are described as two Vidyādharas (supernatural, enlightened beings with special powers) who were connected to the early lineage of Rishabha (Adinath).
Key points about them:
- They are said to be grandsons of Lord Rishabha and sons of Kaccha and Mahakaccha in some accounts.
- Dharanendra (the lord of the nagas) is said to have granted them Vidyas, and they ruled as Vidyādharas in their respective regions.
- In some texts, Bharata conquers their territories; after that, Nami and Vinami renounce worldly life and attain liberation at Shatrunjaya or nearby pilgrim sites.
- Different Jain traditions (Digambara vs. Śvetāmbara) sometimes record slightly different parentage or details, but the overall story centers on their status as Vidyādharas who later renounce and attain moksha.
If you’d like, I can point to specific Jain texts that recount their story (such as certain sections of the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra and related Purāṇic compilations).