Shreyansanatha
Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankara of the present age. According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha – a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Shreyansanatha was born to King Vishnu and Queen Vishna at Simhapuri, near Sarnath in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date was the twelfth day of the Falgun Krishna month of the Indian calendar.
Biography
Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain Tirthankara of the present age. According to Jain beliefs, he became a Siddha – a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Shreyansanatha was born to King Vishnu and Queen Vishna at Simhapuri, near Sarnath in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date was the twelfth day of the Falgun Krishna month of the Indian calendar. His height is mentioned as 80 dhanusha. He is said to have lived for 8,400,000 years.Shreyansnath's Deshna inspired many to take Diksha and achieve Keval-Gnan and Moksha. He attained Nirvana from Sammed Shikharji Mountain, along with many Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shravakas, and Shravikas.
Shreyansanatha is said to have been born 9,999,900 sagara after his predecessor, Shitalanatha. His successor, Vasupujya, is said to have been born 54 sagara after him.
Teachings on Nirjara
Shreyansnath's teachings emphasized Nirjara, the discharge of karmas. He explained that karmas are in stages of charging and discharging, with Nirjara being the stage of discharge. He distinguished between Akaam Nirjara and Sakaam Nirjara. For a self-realized person, Sakaam Nirjara ensures that no new karmas are charged, as they remain vigilant in their awareness of being a Knower and Seer. Shreyansnath also highlighted the importance of penance in achieving Sakaam Nirjara. He categorized penance into two types: Bahya Tapa and Abhyantar Tapa.Bahya Tapa
The six types of Bahya Tapa are:- Anshan
- Unodari
- Vrutti Sankshep
- Ras Tyag
- Kayotsarg
- Sanlinta
Abhyantar Tapa
The six types of Abhyantar Tapa are:- Prayashchit
- Vaiyavach
- Swadhyay
- Vinay
- Vyutsarg
- Dhyan