How did Ravan's brother in law worship Parshvanath bhagwan when he came after neminath bhagwan
In Jain Dharma there is no problem if someone in an earlier time worships a Tirthankar who will take birth later in the same time‑cycle.
1. How is this possible?
In our Jain view:
- The 24 Tirthankars of this avasarpini (present descending time-cycle) are fixed from the beginning.
- Their:
are already known to Kevali Bhagwans and higher devas very early in the cycle.
Because of this:
- Even before Parshvanath Bhagwan’s human birth, his future Tirthankar‑hood (as the 23rd) and his name “Parshvanath” are already known in lok (universe) through the teachings of earlier Kevalis and Tirthankars.
- So devotees in an earlier period can:
Thus, time order of earthly birth does not limit bhakti. From nishchay naya (real standpoint), all Siddhas are anādi‑anant (beginningless–endless), and worship is really of that pure Siddha‑tattva, even if we use the particular name “Parshvanath”.
2. Connection with Ravan stories
Traditional Jain kathās say:
- Ravan and Mandodari (and in some local versions relatives like his brother‑in‑law) were Jain‑dharmi, and
- they worshipped Parshvanath Bhagwan (for example, the famous “Ravan Parshvanath” idol tradition).
Here the important point is:
- They are not worshipping a non‑existent Bhagwan.
- They are worshipping the future 23rd Tirthankar, whose:
So even though Neminath Bhagwan (22nd) takes birth before Parshvanath Bhagwan (23rd) in historical sequence, knowledge about Parshvanath exists earlier, and devotees can worship him earlier as well. Therefore there is no contradiction in Jain Dharma.
3. A related Jain example
Just like:
- Even today we do bhakti of future Tirthankars of next time‑cycles (e.g. chanting “chattīs bol, 24 Tirthankar, anant siddha…”) although we have not seen them,
in the same way:
- Earlier people in this avasarpini could worship Parshvanath Bhagwan before his human birth,
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If you want to read a simple Jain story about Ravan Parshvanath Bhagwan, you can see it here: “Story of Ravan Parshwanath Bhagwan”