Why didn’t Neminath bhagwan didn’t marry Pritimati as Chintagati
According to Jain tradition, Neminath Bhagwan (also known as Arishtanemi), the 22nd Tirthankara, was engaged to Rajimati (not Pritimati or Chintagati; the commonly accepted name is Rajimati), who was the daughter of King Ugrasena of Dwaraka and a cousin of Krishna.
On the day of his wedding, as Neminath was proceeding to the bride's palace, he heard the cries of animals being prepared for slaughter for the wedding feast. Deeply moved by compassion (karuna) and his principle of ahimsa (non-violence), Neminath asked about the reason for their distress. When he realized that their suffering was due to his wedding, he decided to renounce worldly life altogether. He immediately turned back, abandoning the wedding procession, and chose the path of renunciation, eventually attaining Kevalgyana (omniscience) and becoming a Tirthankara.
Key points based on Jain teachings:
- Neminath renounced marriage out of compassion for living beings and commitment to ahimsa.
- His action exemplifies the core Jain values of non-violence and detachment from worldly attachments.
- The story highlights the importance of empathy, non-violence, and spiritual awakening in Jainism.
In summary: Neminath Bhagwan did not marry Rajimati because witnessing the suffering of animals awakened his compassion and led him to renounce worldly life in accordance with Jain principles of ahimsa and renunciation.