who is shakendra dev
Answer
In Jain Dharma, Shakendra Dev usually refers to Śakra Indra, also called Saudharma Indra.
He is the king of the heavenly beings in the Saudharma heaven and is closely connected with the lives of the Tirthankars.
Explanation
In Jain tradition, when a Tirthankar is born, Śakra Indra comes with great devotion and performs the sacred birth celebration known as the Janma Kalyanak.
He takes the newborn Tirthankar to Mount Meru and performs the divine abhishek known as Janmabhishek.
Although Śakendra Dev is a very powerful heavenly being, he is still a deva, not a liberated soul. Like all devas, he remains within saṃsār, the cycle of birth and death.
Spiritual Understanding
The importance of Śakendra Dev in Jain Dharma shows that even the highest heavenly beings respectfully worship the Tirthankars. This teaches us that spiritual greatness is not based on power, pleasure, or heavenly status, but on purity of the soul, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
Takeaway
Shakendra Dev is the Indra of the Saudharma heaven who lovingly serves and honors the Tirthankars, especially during their Janma Kalyanak.