Answer

Padmavati Devi is traditionally known in Jain Dharma as the Yakshini or guardian goddess associated with Bhagwan Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankar.

Her origin story is connected with the famous episode from Bhagwan Parshvanath’s previous life and later his life as a Tirthankar, involving a serpent couple who were saved through compassion.

Explanation

According to Jain tradition, before attaining Kevalgyan, Bhagwan Parshvanath once saw an ascetic named Kamath performing severe penance with fire. With his spiritual insight, Parshvanath noticed that a pair of snakes was trapped inside a log being burned in the fire.

Out of compassion, he had the log split open and saved the snakes. However, the snakes were badly injured and died soon after while hearing the sacred Navkar Mantra.

Because of the punya and spiritual influence of Bhagwan Parshvanath’s compassion, the serpent beings were later reborn as powerful celestial beings:

• The male serpent became Dharanendra, the Yaksha of Bhagwan Parshvanath.
• The female serpent became Padmavati Devi, the Yakshini of Bhagwan Parshvanath.

Later, when Bhagwan Parshvanath was performing deep meditation, Kamath—reborn as Meghmali—created a terrible storm to disturb him. At that time, Dharanendra protected Bhagwan Parshvanath by spreading his serpent hoods over him, and Padmavati Devi is also traditionally associated with this protective divine presence.

Spiritual Understanding

Padmavati Devi is respected by many Jains as a Shasan Devi, a divine guardian connected with the Jain Sangh and especially with Bhagwan Parshvanath’s tradition.

However, in Jain Dharma, worship of Padmavati Devi is understood as respect toward a guardian deity, not as worship of a creator God. The highest spiritual ideal remains the Tirthankars, who show the path of liberation through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Takeaway

Padmavati Devi’s origin story teaches the power of compassion, the fruit of punya, and the protective role of Shasan Devis in Jain tradition. Her story is closely connected with Bhagwan Parshvanath’s karuna and spiritual greatness.