Anantanatha


Anantnath was the fourteenth Tirthankara of the present age of Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.

Biography

Anantnath was the fourteenth Tirthankara of the present age of Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.His name, meaning “Infinite Lord,” symbolizes the boundlessness of spiritual liberation in Jain philosophy. The Jainpedia account describes the five major kalyanakas, which are conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and liberation. These mark the sacred milestones of his life as preserved in both Svetambara and Digambara traditions.
Anantnath was born to King Sinhasena and Queen Suyasha at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date was the 13th day of the Vaishakha Krishna month of the Indian calendar. From a young age, Anantnath exhibited signs of spiritual inclination, including detachment from worldly pleasures and an early interest in meditation and reflection, as described in Jain narratives. After living a princely life, he renounced worldly attachments and undertook rigorous ascetic practices, eventually attaining kevala jñāna, or omniscience, through meditation and discipline. His height is mentioned as 50 dhanusha. He is said to have lived for 3,000,000 years.
Anantnath is said to have been born 9 sagara after his predecessor, Vimalnath. His successor, Dharmanath, is said to have been born 4 sagara after him.

Literature

  • Anantnath Purana was written by Janna in 1230 CE.

    Famous Temple

in Narshi Natha Street, Kharek Bazar, Mumbai
Anantnath Swami Temple in Kalpetta, Kerala
Anantnath is venerated at several important Jain temples across India. He appears frequently in temple complexes where all 24 Tīrthankaras are represented in sequence.