Life & History
Jain tradition holds that Vimalanatha was born to King Kritavarma and Queen Shyamadevi of the Ikshvaku dynasty at Kampilya. His name derives from the Sanskrit "vimala," meaning spotless or pure, reflecting the immaculate conduct and purity of soul attributed to him.
As with the other Tirthankaras of this remote past, detailed historical biography is not verifiable; what survives is the traditional account of his renunciation of worldly life, attainment of omniscience (kevala jnana), and work as a ford-maker who re-establishes the Jain path across the four-fold community of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.
Teaching & Significance
Like all Tirthankaras, Vimalanatha is understood to have taught the path of ahimsa (non-violence), right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct leading to liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
At a Glance
- Position
- 13th of twenty-four
- Emblem (Lanchhana)
- Boar
- Traditional colour
- Golden
- Moksha Sthal
- Sammed Shikhar (Parasnath Hills, Jharkhand)