Answer

According to Jain tradition, Lord Rishab Dev was born in the third ara of the present Avasarpini cycle, and he is regarded as the first Tirthankar of this cycle. ( sss.jvbharati.org)

Explanation

In Jain cosmology, time moves in cycles called Utsarpini and Avasarpini, and each half-cycle has six aras. Lord Rishab Dev’s birth is placed in the third ara of the current descending cycle. ( sss.jvbharati.org)

Spiritual Understanding

This shows why Lord Rishab Dev is seen as the ancient pioneer of Jain dharma in the present time cycle. He appears at a very early stage of human civilization, when guidance was needed for orderly living and spiritual upliftment. ( sss.jvbharati.org)

Takeaway

So, in simple terms: Lord Rishab Dev lived in the third ara of the current Avasarpini—not in a modern historical year, but in Jain cosmic time. ( sss.jvbharati.org)