Here is the simple and true Jain story of Bhagwan Neminath’s “marriage” (actually, broken marriage):

1. Who was to be his bride?

• In his last birth, Neminath Bhagwan (Arishtanemi) was a prince of the Yadava clan in Dwaraka.
• His cousin Shri Krishna and the elders decided to arrange his marriage.
• A suitable bride was found: Rajul / Rajimati, daughter of King Ugrasena.
• The marriage was fixed with great joy, and huge preparations began. ( jainknowledge.com)

2. The marriage procession

• On the wedding day, Nemikumar (young Neminath) sat on a decorated elephant.
• The baarat (wedding procession) was moving with music, celebration and royal grandeur.
• Everyone was happy, thinking a great warrior-prince was about to marry a beautiful princess. ( jainknowledge.com)

3. The turning point – animals for the feast

• On the way, Neminath saw a large area where many animals and birds were tied in cages and enclosures.
• These animals were kept to be killed for the marriage feast of the prince. ( jainknowledge.com)
• The animals were crying, trying to escape, full of fear and pain.
• Neminath’s heart was full of karuṇā (compassion). He thought:

- “How can my happiness be the cause of their death?” - “Is any celebration real if it is built on violence?”

4. Neminath’s decision

• At that very moment, deep vairāgya (detachment) arose in him.
• He realized:

- Worldly pleasures like marriage, kingdom, power are temporary. - True dharma is that in which no living being is hurt.

• He immediately stopped the procession and ordered that all the animals must be freed.
• Then he said he would not marry and asked the charioteer to turn back. ( jainknowledge.com)

5. Reaction of family and people

• Relatives, friends, and others were shocked:

- “How will we explain this to the bride’s family?” - “What about your promise? Your kingdom? Your duties?”

• But Nemikumar calmly explained that his true aim was:

- to find the path that brings peace and safety to all living beings, - to seek moksha (liberation), not worldly pleasure. ( jainknowledge.com)

6. Diksha at Girnar

• Renouncing the marriage and royal life, Nemikumar went to Mount Girnar.
• There he took diksha (initiation as a Jain monk).
• Later, on Girnar itself, he attained Keval Jnān (omniscience) and eventually moksha. ( jainknowledge.com)

7. What about Rajul (Rajimati)?

• In many Jain traditions, Rajul is shown as:

- deeply devoted, - very understanding of Neminath’s compassion and detachment.

• Inspired by him, she also chooses the path of renunciation and becomes an ascetic. ( jainknowledge.com)

8. Important point – Did Neminath Bhagwan ever marry?

• In his final birth as Tirthankar, Neminath Bhagwan did NOT marry.
• The marriage was only arranged, not completed.
• He is remembered as a brahmachari (celibate) Tirthankar who renounced on the very day of his wedding. ( jainknowledge.com)

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Main message of this story in Jain Dharma:

• True happiness cannot be built on the suffering of any jiva (living being).
• Ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion are higher than social customs and worldly expectations.
• When right insight (samyak darshan) and vairagya awaken, even a great prince can leave everything for the path of liberation.

You can read a simple narrative of Neminath and Rajimati’s story here:

And more about Neminath Bhagwan’s life here: