Here is everything in simple points:

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1. Why the name “Parshwanath”?

• The word Parshvanath (पार्श्वनाथ) comes from:

- “Parshva” = side / protector / one who is nearby - “Nath” = Lord

• Traditional Jain meaning:

“The Lord who protects and stays near His devotees” He is the 23rd Tirthankar.

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2. Name of mother and father

According to both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions:

• Father: Raja Ashvasen (अश्वसेन), king of Kashi (Varanasi)
• Mother: Rani Vama / Vamadevi (वामा / वामादेवी)

They were royal rulers of Kashi.

You can read more here

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3. Why snake as lanchhan (symbol)?

• Every Tirthankar has a special symbol (lanchhan).
• For Bhagwan Parshwanath, the lanchhan is a snake (सर्प).

Traditional reason (very important Jain story):

• In a previous life incident (even before His diksha),

Parshva Kumar saw a sadhu doing a fire-sacrifice. With His anukampā (compassion) and avadhijñān, he knew two snakes were trapped in the wood.

• He stopped the sacrifice, had the wood split, and the snakes were saved.
• Those snakes later took divine birth as:

- Dharanendra Dev (snake-hooded Yaksha) - Padmavati Devi (Yakshini)

• When Parshwanath was in intense meditation and his enemy Kamath / Meghmali attacked with heavy rain, storm, and flood,

Dharanendra appeared as a many‑hooded serpent, formed a canopy over Him, and protected Him. Padmavati stood on a lotus and served Him.

Because of this deep connection with naga / serpent, his symbol became the snake, and most of his idols have a snake hood over the head.

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4. Birth place and Nirvana place

• Birth place:

Kashi / Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), in the royal palace of King Ashvasen. He was born as a prince “Parshva Kumar”.

• Keval‑jñān place:

Under a Dhataki / Ghatki (आंवला‑like) tree near Varanasi, after 84 days of intense spiritual practice following diksha.

• Nirvana (Moksha) place:

Sammed Shikharji (also called Shri Sammed Shikhar, or Parshvanath Hill), in present-day Jharkhand. He attained Moksha at age 100, in padmāsan and deep meditation.

You can read a simple moksha story here

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5. Miracles & lesser-known / “fun” facts about Parshwanath Bhagwan

Keeping it faithful to Jain tradition (where inner spiritual greatness is more important than “showy miracles”):

1. 23rd Tirthankar & direct predecessor of Mahavir Bhagwan

- He came just before Bhagwan Mahavir in the current time-cycle. - The four main vows (non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non‑possession) taught in his time later expanded to five (adding full celibacy) by Mahavir Bhagwan.

1. 84 days to Keval‑jñān

- After taking diksha at about 30 years, he did very intense sādhanā and attained Keval‑jñān in just 84 days, which is considered very fast and impressive spiritually.

1. Very large saṅgh (spiritual following)

- Scriptures describe thousands of munis, aryikās, shravaks and shravikās in his sangh. - Even today, among many Jains, Parshwanath is one of the most-loved Tirthankars after Mahavir.

1. Green body color and serpent canopy

- Traditional description: green-colored body (śyām varṇa). - Idols usually show him seated or standing with a multi‑hooded snake as a canopy. - The number of hoods can vary – 5, 7, 9, 11, or more depending on local tradition.

1. Yaksha & Yakshini

- Yaksha: Dharanendra (serpent form, protector) - Yakshini: Padmavati Devi Both are strongly connected to the snake‑protection incident.

1. Many famous “forms” of Parshwanath

- All are ultimately Bhagwan Parshwanath, but with different local names based on miracles / experiences of devotees: - Kansari Parshwanath – very ancient and wish‑fulfilling idol connected to Kansari–Khambhat - Kamitpuran Parshwanath – “wish‑fulfilling Parshwanath” of Unhel - Ghodiji / Godiji Parshwanath – very beloved form, especially in some Śvetāmbara traditions - These stories tell of fulfilled prayers, protection, and deep faith, but Jain dharma always emphasizes that the real power is in his siddha‑pad and our own right effort, not in just external miracles.

1. Four vows tradition

- Parshwanath’s disciples usually observed 4 mahāvratas: - Ahimsa (non‑violence) - Satya (truth) - Achaurya (non‑stealing) - Aparigraha (non‑possession) - Mahavir Bhagwan later explicitly added Brahmacharya (complete celibacy) as a separate, fifth vow.

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In summary:

• Name: “Parshwanath” – the Lord who is near and protects.
• Parents: King Ashvasen, Queen Vama/Vamadevi of Kashi.
• Lanchhan: Snake, due to his deep karmic link with rescued snakes and protection by Dharanendra.
• Birth: Kashi (Varanasi).
• Nirvana: Sammed Shikharji (Parshvanath Hill), at about 100 years of age.
• Speciality: Great compassion, 84‑day path to Keval‑jñān, powerful inspiration for non‑violence and renunciation, and countless famous idols loved by Jains to this day.