Life of Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath) — the 1st Tirthankar

• Birth and family (Janma-kalyanak)

- Born in Ayodhya (Vinita) to King Nabhiraj and Queen Marudevi. - Mother Marudevi saw the 14 auspicious dreams before his birth. - Lanchhan (emblem): Bull; body-hue: golden. - Common Jain tradition: two queens — Sumangala (Śvetāmbara often say Yaśasvatī/Sumangala) and Sunanda. Children: 100 sons (eldest Chakravarti Bharat; Bahubali) and 2 daughters (Brahmi and Sundari/Mahāsatī Sundari). Brahmi was taught the script, and Sundari numbers (ganit).

• As a great king (Diksha-purva jeevan)

- Established social order and civilizational arts: agriculture, crafts, trade, fire-use, and many professions. - Ruled with dharma, then developed intense detachment after witnessing the sudden death of dancers (showing the impermanence of worldly pleasures).

• Renunciation (Diksha-kalyanak)

- Performed kesh‑lochan (plucking of hair) and accepted monkhood under the Akṣayavaṭa banyan at Prayag/Triveni (confluence of Ganga–Yamuna–Sarasvati). - Observed severe austerities and wandered for alms only when food was faultless (as per Jain monastic discipline).

• First ahar and Akshaya Tritiya

- After a long period without suitable alms, his first proper ahar was sugarcane juice offered by King Shreyansh at Hastinapur. This is commemorated as Akshaya Tritiya; many Jains complete Varshitap and break fast with sugarcane juice on this day.

• Omniscience (Keval‑jnan kalyanak)

- Attained Keval‑jnan after prolonged tapas; preached in the divine Samavasaran, establishing the four‑fold Sangh (sādhus, sādhvīs, śrāvaks, śrāvikās) and the path of the five great vows.

• Liberation (Nirvan kalyanak)

- Attained Moksha at Ashtapada (traditionally identified with Mount Kailash). His life is the model of perfect ahimsa, aparigraha, and self‑discipline for all Tirthankars who followed.

Key Jain points remembered

• Tirthankar names: Rishabhdev, Adinath, Adeshwar, Yugadidev, Nabheya.
• Symbol: Bull; Keval‑tree: Banyan (Nyagrodha); Yaksha–Yakshi: Gomukha–Chakreshwari (as commonly described).
• Core contributions: foundation of right livelihood (śrama), social ethics, and the vows for monks and householders.

Sect notes (Śvetāmbara and Digambara)

• Wives’ names: Digambara texts typically say Sumangala and Sunanda; Śvetāmbara texts often use Yaśasvatī (for Sumangala) and Sunandā.
• Length of initial fasting before first ahar: Śvetāmbara narrations often say “about a year/400 days”; Digambara narrations commonly say “six months.” Both agree the first ahar was by King Shreyansh at Hastinapur with sugarcane juice.
• Place of Keval‑jnan: narrated under Akṣayavaṭa/Banyan; specific town names vary across texts, but both traditions agree on Ashtapada for Nirvan.

Essence of his teaching

• Live by ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha.
• Reduce passions and possessions; cultivate right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct for liberation.

For a simple overview and FAQs on the 1st Tirthankar, see:

• Life of the first Tirthankar on JainKnowledge
• How Adeshwar Dada became the first Tirthankar (Jain facts & concepts)