Parshvanath Bhagwan (also called Parshva) is the 23rd Tirthankar of Jainism.

Key points in simple terms:

• Role: Tirthankar who established the path of Dharma for his era.
• Life story: He renounced worldly life, practiced intense austerities, and attained Kevala Jnana (omniscient knowledge).
• Teachings: He emphasized the four great vows for his followers—ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), and aparigraha (non-possession). Mahavira later added the fifth vow (celibacy/monogamy) to the tradition.
• Moksha: Parshvanath is believed to have attained liberation at Sammed Shikharji (also called Parasnath Hill) in the current time cycle.
• Symbol and iconography: His emblem is the serpent, often shown with a canopy of snake heads over his head. This serpent canopy represents protection and spiritual awakening in his depictions.
• Family notes (differences in traditions):

- Digambara tradition: Parshvanath is traditionally depicted as unmarried. - Shwetambara tradition: Some stories speak of a wife (Prabhavati/Prabhavati Devi) and other family details, though there are variations between sects on these points.

Important spiritual takeaway:

• Parshvanath’s life centers on renunciation, truthfulness, non-violence, and non-attachment—core Jain principles that guide practitioners toward liberation.

You can read more about Parshvanath’s life and teachings in Jain literature and authoritative Jain guides. You can read more here