Shree Nemi Nath
22th Jain Tirthankar
Neminath was born as the eldest son of Hastinapur King Shrisen. King Shrisen named his son as Shankh. During one time many robbers and smugglers attacked people in Hastinapur. People expressed their concern to the King. King decided to send his son Shankh to save his subjects. He knew Shankh was wise and could handle any situation diplomatically. Shankh won over the head of the smugglers with his sensible plan and prevented any bloodshed. On his way back Shankh rescued a princess by name Yashomati from trouble and thus fall in love with her. They both got married. Both of them lived in Hastinapur very happily. Once, the feeling of love and attachment towards his wife bothered Shankh. He consulted a scholarly ascetic to seek clarification. The scholar said that Yashomati and Shankh are married in the last six births, and this is their seventh birth. They loved each other so intensely, and thus this association continues for many births. He also said that Shank would come to earth as a Tirthankara in his ninth birth and Yashomati as Rajomati. Both will attain Nirvana during that birth. Having got clarity Shankh lived his life and died as a King of Hastinapur.
Neminath was reincarnated as God in the Aprajit dimension. Due to his Tirthanakara Nam Karma, his soul came to the womb of Queen Shiva Devi. King Samudravijay and Queen Shiva Devi were ruling Sauripur. When the Queen witnessed fourteen auspicious dreams, she wanted to meet the king. He was with his brothers and sisters, and when Queen called him, he went to understand her concern. She explained about the dream and king augured the birth of a Tirthankara. All in the kingdom were celebrating the arrival of a Tirthankara.
During the Shravan month on the fifth day of the waxing moon, the Queen gave birth to a boy baby. The king named the child as Arishtanemi. The Queen dreamt about disc holding Arishta gems. Eventually, the baby was called a Nemi by all. King Samudra Vijay’s younger brother was Vasudev who had many wives. Queen Rohini and Vasudev gave birth to Balram. King Vasudev and Queen Devaki gave birth to Shrikrishna. Jain philosophy believes that Balram and Shrikrishna were the ninth Vasudev and Baldev.
The Prativasudev was Jarasandha. Along with Kamsa, he was cruelly attacking everyone. Due to this act of Kamsa, the Yadava’s moved to Dwaraka from Mathura. As a boy when Nemi was playing he lifted the Panchajanya conch effortlessly. He had also moved the Sudarshan Chakra, the divine discus. Shrikrishna was very much surprised to see the act of prince Nemi and decided to make him a good Chakravarthy. But Nemi refused to become the King and did not want to get married as well. Shri Krishna managed to persuade him, and he agreed to marry Rajomati younger sister of Krishna’s wife, Sathyabama.
Prince Nemi started to the marriage, and on his way, he saw many animals and birds caged. He enquired the reason for that suffocating act, and his driver said that all animals were brought there to be killed and make a feast for his marriage. Nemi felt very sad and decided to go back to Dwarka. He cancelled the wedding. Hearing this, Rajomati fell unconscious. Shri Krishna said Nemi about Rajomati’s position and asked Nemi to come for the wedding. But Nemi replied saying that as the animals got prisoned in the cage, every human being has become prisoners themselves in the cage of Karma. Thus he wants to get away from this worldly life and removed all his ornaments on his way and embraced ascetic life on the sixth day of Shravan month during the Shukla Paksham (waxing moon). Hearing Nemi’s explanation Rajomati was moved and followed Nemi in the path of renunciation.
Neminath – Ascetic Life
Shri Krishna was enthused by the act of both Nemi and Rajomati. He blessed him for his purposeful mission. Later on, Neminath practiced sincere penance and attained Omniscience on the fifteenth day of the Krishna Paksham (waning moon) of the Ashwin month beneath a Bamboo tree.
Nirvana
Neminath founded the four branched religious organizations namely Shraviks, Shravaks, Sadhvi and Sadhus. He preached Jain philosophy to his disciples. He finally achieved liberation on the Ashadh month eighth day of the waxing moon. Rajomati also took Diksha from him and practiced saintly penances to obtain liberation.
Temples Built for Bhagavan Neminath in India
- In Gujarat State in the Junagadh city – Neminath temple, Girnar Hill.
- In Uttar Pradesh state in the Agra city – Neminath Jain Temple.
- In Rajasthan in the Ranakpur state – Neminath Jain Temple.
Conclusion
Bhagavan Neminath’s symbol is conch. Bhagavan Neminath was Shrikrishna’s cousin and preached Ahimsa, love, brotherhood and vegetarianism. He exhorted his disciples to comprehend the goal of self-realization. He asked people to excel the endless cycles of birth and rebirth.
His clarity and kindness consecrated the land and the populace who were in touch with him. It is believed that in Yajurveda, Bhagavan Neminath has been mentioned as an important Rishi. He was said to have removed bloodshed and helped people to cross the ocean of birth and death cycles.
The chronological date of Bhagavan Neminath was around 3100 B.C. He is also mentioned in the Rig Veda Samhita after Bhagavan Rishabhanatha. It is pride to the Indian nation that Bhagavan Neminath has touched Lord Krishna and proved to be an immortal divine soul.
| Father: | Samudravijaya |
|---|---|
| Mother: | Sivadevi |
| Dynasty: | Harivamsha |
| Birth: | Sauripura (Dvaraka) |
| Nirvana: | Girnar |
| Colour: | Black |
| Symbol: | Conch  |
| Height: | 10 dhanusha (30 meters) |
| Age: | 1,000 years |
| Yaksha: | Gomedh |
| Yaksini: | Ambika |
