Rishabh Dev or Adinatha was the first of the 24 Tirthankara of Jains. He
is called Adinath for Rishabha Dev appeared in Avasarpini (present
age). The word Adinath literally means ‘the original lord.’ He belonged
to the House of Ikshwaku also known as the "House of the Sun".
Birth of RishabhdevDuring the last part
of the third Ara of the current descending cycle of time Rishabhdev
took birth from the womb of Marudeva on the fourth day of the Krishna
Paksha of the Hindi month Ashadh. The early Jain scriptures mentioned
that the pious soul Rishabhdev had done prolonged reparation,
meditation, charity and generous deeds.
Rishabhdev took several
incarnations. As Dhanna, the caravan leader, he had offered alms and
extended his services to abstainers and all. His another incarnation as
doctor Jivanand had generously taken care of ill masses. His birth as
king Vajranabh had served poor and desolate masses. Vajranabh relinquish
the world after ruling for several years to become an ascetic. Due to
unprecedented spiritual practices, including religious studies, penance,
tolerance, and meditation, he earned Tirthankar-nam-and-gotra-karma.
His devout activities resulted in his birth as Rishabhdev.
When Rishabh Kumar grew into a young man
he was married to twins Sunanda and Sumangala. Sumangala gave birth to
Bharat, Brahmi and ninety eight other sons. Bahubali and Sundari were
born to Sunanda.
Other
names 1. Rishabh
2. Rishabhanath
3.
Rushabh
4. Rushabhdev
5. Adinath or Adishwar or Kesariyaji
Famous temples dedicated to Rishabha•
Adishwar Temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan
• Adishwar temple, Palitana,
Gujarat
• Adinath Mandir, Bibrod, Ratlam, M.P.
• Adinath
Temple, Nahta Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan
• Adinath derasar,
Vataman, Gujarat
• Adinath temple, Khajuraho, MP
• Adinath
temple, Ayodhya, UP
• Adinath temple, Chand-Khedi, Near Kota,
Rajasthan
• Adinath at Rishabhdeo or Rikhabdeo near Udaipur,
Rajasthan
• Adinath Bhagvan Temple, Mahrauli, Delhi