Adinath bhagwan and lord Shiva are same?

No, in Jain Dharma Adinath Bhagwan and Lord Shiva are not the same.

1. Who is Adinath Bhagwan in Jainism?

• Adinath (also called Rishabhdev, Rishabhanath, Adeshwar) is the 1st Tirthankar of the current time-cycle.
• He is a Jina / Tirthankar – an enlightened soul who attained Kevaljnan and then Moksha.
• He is a liberated being (Siddha), not a creator, not a destroyer, and not a controller of the universe.
• His lanchhan (symbol) is the bull, and he is shown in deep meditation (standing kayotsarg or sitting padmasan).

2. Who is Lord Shiva (Shivji)?

• Shiva is a Hindu devta, part of the Hindu Trimurti (Brahma–Vishnu–Shiva).
• He is associated with creation–destruction–tandav etc. in Hindu belief, not in Jain philosophy.
• Jainism does not accept any creator-god; the universe is beginningless and endless, governed by natural laws and karma.

3. Why do people get confused?

• The word “Adinath” (first Lord) is sometimes also used for Shiva in some non‑Jain traditions, but in Jainism it means only Rishabhdev Tirthankar.
• Both have a connection with a bull (Adinath’s symbol; Shiva’s vehicle Nandi) and sometimes matted hair/ascetic appearance, so pictures can look similar.
• Because of this, some people think they are one, but Jain scriptures and Jain acharyas clearly treat them as different.

4. Jain viewpoint (both Shvetambar & Digambar)

• Both traditions accept:

- Adinath = Rishabhdev = 1st Tirthankar. - He is a liberated soul and the first teacher of the Jain path. - He is not Shiva, not an avatar of any devta, and not part of a Trimurti.

• Any linking of Adinath with Shiva is cultural/folklore, not Jain siddhant.

You can read more on this topic here: “Lord shiva and adinath are same?” “Is there any connection between shivji and aadinath bhagwan”