A Detailed and Authentic Life Account of Lord Adinath (Rishabhdev)

Introduction

In this Jambudweep, to the west of Mount Meru, lies a supremely beautiful and divine land known as Gandhil Desh, situated within the Videh Kshetra. This land is described as radiant like heaven, where the eternal light of Shri Jinendra Bhagwan, the Sun of Spirituality, is always present. For this very reason, the rise of false belief (mithyadrishti) never occurs here. Gandhil Desh is thus regarded as a symbol of pure spirituality.

At the center of Gandhil Desh stands the silvery Vijayardha Mountain. On its northern range was a glorious city called Alkapuri, ruled by King Atibal, a mighty Vidyadhar monarch. From his virtuous, devoted, and religious queen Manohara Devi, a highly fortunate son was born, named Mahabal.

King Atibal’s Renunciation and Mahabal’s Coronation

In due course, becoming detached from worldly pleasures, King Atibal formally handed over his entire kingdom to his son Mahabal and, accompanied by several Vidyadharas, renounced worldly life and accepted ascetic initiation.

King Mahabal had four chief ministers:

Swayambuddh
Mahāmati
Sambhinnamati
Shatamati

Among them, Minister Swayambuddh was a follower of Samyak Drishti (right faith), while the remaining three adhered to mithyadrishti philosophical schools.

Religious Debate and the Victory of Syadvada

On one occasion, a grand celebration was organized on the birth anniversary of King Mahabal. Seizing the auspicious moment, Minister Swayambuddh delivered a profound, logical, and scripture-based discourse on Jain Dharma.

In response:

Mahāmati, following Charvaka philosophy, denied the existence of the soul.
Sambhinnamati, advocating Vijnanavada, claimed that only cognition exists as truth.
Shatamati, supporting Shunyavada, upheld the doctrine of absolute void.

Minister Swayambuddh refuted all three one-sided viewpoints using logic, Jain scriptures, and rational analysis, and firmly established the Syadvada-based doctrine of Ahimsa. This enlightened discourse deeply pleased King Mahabal.

This episode remains a timeless example of intellectual clarity and right perception.

Teachings and Prophecy of the Charan Munis

At a later time, Minister Swayambuddh traveled to Mount Sumeru to worship the Akrutrim Chaityalayas (self-manifested temples). There, he encountered two great Charan Munis from Videh Kshetra — Adityagati and Arinjay.

Upon inquiry, Muni Adityagati, through Avadhi Gyan (clairvoyant knowledge), revealed that King Mahabal was a Bhavya soul, and in his tenth future birth, he would be born in Bharat Kshetra as the First Tirthankara.

Mahabal’s Sallekhana and Celestial Birth

After learning the result of his future birth, King Mahabal entrusted the kingdom to his son Atibal and undertook Sallekhana at Siddhakoot Chaityalaya. Absorbed in righteous meditation, he relinquished his body and was reborn as Lalitang Dev in Ishan Heaven.

Across several subsequent births, through the influence of merit, charity, and right faith, his soul continued ascending toward the highest spiritual states.

Descent into the Womb and Birth of Lord Rishabhdev

Ultimately, descending from the Sarvarthasiddhi Vimana, Lord Rishabhdev took conception in the womb of Mother Marudevi. Prior to this divine descent, the mother experienced sixteen auspicious dreams, traditionally interpreted as signs of a future Tirthankara.

On Chaitra Krishna Navami, the Lord was born — an event celebrated by the entire cosmos as a cosmic celebration.

The Indras performed the Ksheerabhishek on Mount Sumeru with 1008 golden pitchers, and the child was named Rishabhdev.

Marriage, Progeny, and Establishment of Social Order

In his youth, the Lord married Yashaswati and Sunanda. From them were born 101 sons, including Bharat Chakravarti and Bahubali, and two daughters — Brahmi and Sundari.

Lord Rishabhdev personally taught:

Scriptural writing (Lipi Vidya) to Brahmi
Mathematics (Ganit Vidya) to Sundari

Thus, he laid the foundation of women’s education.

After the disappearance of the Kalpavriksha era, the Lord introduced the six essential professions:

Asī (weaponry)
Mashī (writing)
Krishi (agriculture)
Vidya (education)
Vanijya (trade)
Shilpa (craftsmanship)

He also organized society into three varnas:

Kshatriya
Vaishya
Shudra

For these foundational contributions, he is revered as Adibrahma, Prajapati, and Vishwakarma.

Renunciation, Initiation, and Austerity

During a celestial dance performance, the sudden demise of the apsara Nilanjana awakened deep detachment in the Lord. Entrusting the kingdom to Bharat, he renounced worldly life in Siddharth Van, beneath a banyan tree, performing the Panch-mushti Kesh-lonch and accepting ascetic vows.

After six months of yogic austerity and one year and thirty-nine days, the Lord accepted his first alms (Ikshu-ras) at Hastinapur from Shrayans Kumar. This sacred event is commemorated as Akshaya Tritiya.

Omniscience, Samavasarana, and Nirvana

After one thousand years of rigorous austerities, on Phalgun Krishna Ekadashi, Lord Rishabhdev attained Keval Gyan (absolute omniscience).

In the grand Samavasarana, 84 Gandhars, thousands of monks and nuns, and countless beings received his divine teachings.

Finally, on Magh Krishna Chaturdashi, at Mount Kailash, the Lord attained Nirvana and ascended to Siddhalok, the realm of liberated souls.

Relevance of Lord Adinath for Today’s Youth

In the modern world, Lord Adinath’s life offers powerful insights:

Focus over distraction
Discipline over indulgence
Inner growth over external success

His journey proves that freedom and clarity emerge from self-control, not excess.

Conclusion

Lord Adinath is more than the first Tirthankara—he is the architect of ethical and spiritual civilization in Jainism.

His transformation from king to ascetic illustrates:

The impermanence of material power
The strength of conscious choice
The path to liberation through discipline and awareness

His teachings remain timeless, rational, and deeply relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Lord Adinath considered the first Tirthankara?

Because he re-established the Jain path of liberation and guided humanity toward ethical living.

Are Rishabhanatha and Adinath the same?

Yes, both names refer to the same Tirthankara.

What was Lord Adinath’s core message?

Self-restraint, non-violence, and liberation through personal effort.

Where did Lord Adinath attain Nirvana?

At Mount Ashtapada (Kailash Parvat).