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 Rishabhdev
During 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
- Rishabh
- Rishabhanath
- Rushabh
- Rushabhdev
- 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