Parshvanatha

Glossaries

Term	Definition
Parshvanatha	Parshvanatha is the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, born in 872 BCE and died in 772 BCE. He is revered for his teachings on ahimsa (non-violence) and his efforts to reform the religious practices of his time. Parshvanatha, also known as Parshva, is the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, an ancient religion of India. According to Jain traditions, Parshvanatha was born in 872 BCE in Varanasi (Benares) to a royal family. He lived until 772 BCE and is considered one of the most significant figures in Jainism before Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara. Parshvanatha renounced royal life at the age of 30 to become a monk and spent 70 years preaching dharma. His primary teachings include ahimsa (non-violence), astheya (non-stealing), aparigraha (non-attachment), and satya (truth). He also emphasized the respect for all forms of life and meditation. His symbol is the hooded serpent, often depicted with him in sculptures and paintings. Parshvanatha founded a religious community that influenced many aspects of Indian culture and spirituality. His teachings laid the groundwork for Mahavira, who later developed and codified Jainism.

Term

Definition

Parshvanatha is the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, born in 872 BCE and died in 772 BCE. He is revered for his teachings on ahimsa (non-violence) and his efforts to reform the religious practices of his time.

Parshvanatha, also known as Parshva, is the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism, an ancient religion of India. According to Jain traditions, Parshvanatha was born in 872 BCE in Varanasi (Benares) to a royal family. He lived until 772 BCE and is considered one of the most significant figures in Jainism before Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara.

Parshvanatha renounced royal life at the age of 30 to become a monk and spent 70 years preaching dharma. His primary teachings include ahimsa (non-violence), astheya (non-stealing), aparigraha (non-attachment), and satya (truth). He also emphasized the respect for all forms of life and meditation.

His symbol is the hooded serpent, often depicted with him in sculptures and paintings. Parshvanatha founded a religious community that influenced many aspects of Indian culture and spirituality. His teachings laid the groundwork for Mahavira, who later developed and codified Jainism.