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Life of simandhar swami
Here is a simple, traditional Jain understanding of the life of Shri Simandhar Swami.
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1. Who is Shri Simandhar Swami?
- Shri Simandhar Swami is a living Tirthankar (Arihant) in Jain dharma.
- He is not in our world (Bharat Kshetra), but in a special pure land called Mahāvideh Kshetra.
- In Mahāvideh Kshetra, there are always living Tirthankars giving deshnā (discourses) and guiding souls to moksha.
So, when Jains say “Simandhar Swami is living even today”, they mean:
- He is presently alive in Mahāvideh Kshetra,
- He is a Kevalī Bhagwan (Omniscient),
- He is giving sermons there right now.
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2. Place, parents and family (as per Jain tradition)
- Kshetra (land): Mahāvideh Kshetra
- Division: Pushpakalāvatī
- City: Pundarīkagiri / Pundarikgiri (its capital city)
Traditional details:
- Father: King Shreyans
- Mother: Queen Satyaki
- Lanchhan (symbol): Vṛishabh / bull
- Varna (colour): Golden
- Height: 500 dhanush (very tall, as per that realm’s standard)
Like all Tirthankars, his mother saw auspicious dreams before his birth, indicating the birth of a future Tirthankar.
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3. Main stages of his life
The life of every Tirthankar is described in five kalyāṇaks (great auspicious events). In short, Jain tradition accepts similar kalyāṇaks for Shri Simandhar Swami:
- Garbh Kalyāṇak – When the soul enters the mother’s womb
- Janma Kalyāṇak – Divine, auspicious birth in Pundarīkagiri
- Dīkshā Kalyāṇak – He renounces kingdom and becomes a sadhu
- Keval Jñān Kalyāṇak – Attains Keval Jñān (Omniscience), becomes Arihant Tirthankar
- Nirvāṇa Kalyāṇak – Will happen in the future, when he completes his lifespan and attains siddhahood
Some traditional points:
- As a prince he lived a royal, yet highly virtuous life.
- He then accepted dīkshā (renunciation), leaving all worldly possessions and relations.
- After long spiritual effort and destruction of gyanāvaranādi karmas, he attained Keval Jñān.
- From then on, Samavasaraṇ is established and he gives deshnā to countless beings in Mahāvideh Kshetra.
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4. Present status – “Living Tirthankar”
According to Jain cosmology:
- The age of Shri Simandhar Swami is very, very long compared to human life here.
- He is currently living, in Keval Jñān state, seated in Samavasaraṇ from time to time and teaching the path of liberation.
- Souls in Mahāvideh Kshetra can hear his discourses directly and progress rapidly toward moksha.
The 24 Tirthankars of our Bharat Kshetra (like Bhagwan Mahāvīr) have already attained moksha and reside in Siddha-shilā. In the present time-cycle in Bharat Kshetra, no Tirthankar can be born, so Jains remember living Tirthankars of Mahāvideh Kshetra, especially Shri Simandhar Swami.
You can see a concise explanation here: You can read more here
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5. Spiritual importance of his devotion
Why is Simandhar Swami so important for us?
- Remembering a living Tirthankar strengthens samyak darshan (right faith).
- It reminds us that:
- Many Jains keep bhāv:
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6. Digambar and Shwetambar viewpoints
Common to both:
- Both accept the cosmology of Mahāvideh Kshetra.
- Both accept that Tirthankars always exist there and give deshnā.
- Accepting living Tirthankars like Simandhar Swami is doctrinally consistent in both traditions.
Difference in practice:
- Shwetāmbars:
- Digambars:
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7. Summary in very simple words
- Shri Simandhar Swami is a present, living Tirthankar.
- He lives in Mahāvideh Kshetra, in the city of Pundarīkagiri.
- He has attained Keval Jñān and is guiding countless souls right now.
- We cannot see him from Bharat Kshetra, but by:
For short, clear Q&A style explanations about Simandhar Swami and Mahāvideh Kshetra, you can read more here:
