Here is the traditional Jain story that connects Padmavati (often lovingly called “Padmavathi Amma” in South India) with Bhagwan Parshvanath.

1. Who is Padmavati in Jainism?

• Padmavati is a Yakshini / Shasan Devi (protective goddess) of Bhagwan Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankar. ( jainknowledge.com)
• She is closely associated with serpent (nāga) symbolism and is usually shown with a snake hood over her head, often along with her consort Dharanendra, the serpent king. ( jainknowledge.com)

In many South Indian Jain families and temples, she is affectionately called Padmavathi Amma, but her doctrinal status is that of a yakshini, not a Tirthankar.

You can read a simple explanation of Padmavati Mata here

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2. Main story: How Padmavati is linked to Parshvanath

(A) Snakes saved from fire – previous birth

When Parshvanath was still a prince in Varanasi, he once saw a renunciant (in some texts called Kamath) doing a very harsh and wrong type of “fire‑penance” using a pile of burning wood.

With his avadhi-jnan (clairvoyant knowledge), Parshva perceived that a pair of snakes (nāga–nāginī) were trapped inside the burning log and were being burnt alive. ( jaindivya.com)

• Parshva requested the ascetic to stop and have the log broken open.
• When the wood was split, half‑burnt snakes were actually found inside.
• Through Parshva’s compassion and spiritual power, the snakes died with very mild passions (manda kashāya) and with bhaav of faith and gratitude towards him.

Because of this:

• They were reborn in a higher heavenly state as Dharanendra (nāga king) and Padmavati (nāga queen), with right faith (samyak darshan) as attendant devas of Parshvanath. ( jaingpt.org)

So, Padmavati in her heavenly form is understood as the same soul that was once the snake‑queen saved by Parshvanath.

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(B) Protection during Parshvanath’s meditation

Later, after Parshvanath took diksha and became an ascetic, he performed deep meditation.

His old enemy from previous births (often called Kamath or Meghmali dev in the next birth) developed jealousy and anger. He used his divine powers to disturb Parshva’s meditation with:

• very heavy rain and storm
• hailstones, floods, and terrifying conditions

At that moment:

• Dharanendra appeared in the form of a huge serpent and spread his many hoods like an umbrella above Parshvanath.
• Padmavati supported and protected as the serpent‑queen, helping to shelter Parshvanath from below and around, calming the waters and storm. ( jaindivya.com)

Because of this:

• Many idols of Bhagwan Parshvanath show him seated or standing in meditation with a serpent canopy – this symbolizes Dharanendra and Padmavati’s protection, but doctrinally the real protection of a Tirthankar is always his own pure soul and karma‑kshaya, not external powers.

Parshvanath himself remained completely calm, without attachment or aversion:

• no pride or dependence on the deities who protected him,
• no anger or hatred toward the tormentor.

This is the key Jain message of the story.

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3. Padmavati as Shasan Devi / Yakshini

From this background, Jain tradition understands:

• Padmavati becomes the Shasan Devi of Parshvanath – a protector of his sangh and devotees. ( jainknowledge.com)
• She is especially connected with:

- protection from dangers and obstacles, - snake‑related fears and harms, - worldly well‑being, while always keeping Jain ethical limits in mind. ( jainpedia.org)

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4. Digambar and Shwetambar notes

Both Digambar and Shwetambar accept:

• Bhagwan Parshvanath as 23rd Tirthankar with serpent emblem.
• The essential story of snakes saved from fire and later protecting Parshvanath during the storm. ( jaingpt.org)

Differences are mostly in iconography and emphasis:

• Shwetambar tradition

- Often shows Parshvanath with yaksha Parshwa and yakshini Padmavati as a pair of attendant deities. - Padmavati is frequently depicted seated on lotus, golden in color, with snake hood, lotus, noose, fruit, and goad, etc. ( jainpedia.org)

• Digambar tradition

- Also reveres Padmavati as the yakshini of Parshvanath, very prominent especially in Karnataka (e.g., Humcha / Hombuja tradition). ( jainpedia.org) - Placement of Padmavati idol relative to Parshvanath can differ (often on one side), and there is strong temple‑based worship of her as guardian shakti.

In all Jain views, however:

• Only Tirthankars and Siddhas are supreme spiritual ideals.
• Deities like Padmavati are respected as protectors and helpers, not as ultimate liberators.

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5. Essence of the story

Spiritually, the story of Padmavati Amma and Parshvanath teaches:

1. Ahimsa and Karuna (non‑violence and compassion)

- Parshvanath’s effort to save even unknown, hidden snakes shows total compassion to all beings.

1. Karma and transformation

- The snakes’ painful death, combined with right feeling towards a true saint, led to higher rebirth as deities (Dharanendra and Padmavati).

1. Equanimity in suffering

- Even during terrifying storms, Parshvanath remained absolutely shant (peaceful). Protection came, but his inner state was already unshaken.

1. Deities as helpers, not final refuge

- Padmavati is honored as a guardian; but liberation comes only from self‑effort in right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

For a bit more on Parshvanath’s life and his connection with Dharanendra–Padmavati, you can read here