Lord Vishnu has taken many incarnations on the Earth for the protection of religion. In the past, Lord Vishnu had incarnated as Lord Rishabdev and introduced the power of knowledge and austerity to the world.

Lord Vishnu

Lord Rishbhadev is considered to be the founder of Jainism. He is worshipped as Lord Adinath in Jainism. The divine story of Lord Rishabhdev is described in the third chapter of the fifth wing of Srimedbhagwat.

Introduction to the Lineage Of Lord Rishabhdev

In ancient times, a great king Priyavrata used to reign. His kingdom was spread over all seven islands. He was the Son of Swayambhu Manu. Priyanvrat was the ultimate devotee of Lord Vishnu.

In due time, king Priyanvrat gave the throne to his deserving Son Agnidraa and departed to the forest. Agnidraa was a worthy ruler. He married nymph Purvachiti and become father of many children. He also went to the forest by giving the throne to his deserving Son Nabhi.

Birth of Lord Rishabhdev

King Nabhi was the sole devotee of Lord Vishnu. His wife, queen Meru Devi, was also an ultimate devotee of Lord Vishnu like him, but they had no child. By the command of Brahmins, King Nabhi performed the divine sacrificial fire to please Lord Vishnu. He completed that sacrificial fire with utmost reverence.

Sacrificial fire by King Nabhi

Pleased with the sacrificial fire of King Nabhi, Lord Vishnu appeared in that Yagya shala. The king Nabhi and the Brahmins praised Lord Vishnu in many manners. King Nabhi and queen Meru Devi wished Lord Vishnu to have a Son like him.

Lord Vishnu was very happy with their devotion and he said that he would take birth as their Son. In time, Lord Vishnu was born from the womb of queen Meru Devi to please King Nabhi. He was born to define the religion of the Digambar Saints and the Brahmanistic Sages. King Nabhi and queen Meru Devi were very happy to see the divine nature of the child.

Birth of Lord Rishabhdev

They named that divine lad as Rishabhdev. Lord Rishabhdev was an icon of equality, peace and quietness. He was very popular among his countrymen. Seeing his force, amenity, Valour and might, all the countrymen began to wish that now, prince Rishabhdev should rule on the Earth

Breaking Lord Indra's Pride

The fame of Lord Rishbhadev was increasing day by day. His prestige was echoed in all the three folks. Enraged at his fame, Lord Indra stopped raining in his state. This act of Indra did not have any adverse effect on the kingdom of King Nabhi. In due times, Lord Rishbhadev dissolved the pride of Lord Indra by bringing rain with his power. Now Lord Indra had recognised the true nature of Lord Rishabhdev. He apologized to him for his blunder.

Lord Indra proposed the marriage of his daughter Jayanti and Rishabhdev to King Nabhi. King Nabhi gladly accepted the proposal. King Nabhi performed the marriage of Rishabhdev and Jayanti with utmost fanfare. In scriptures, Goddess Jayanti is also known as Goddess Sumangala.

Marriage of Lord Rishabhdev

When king Nabhi realised that his son is virtuous and capable of running the kingdom, he made the coronation of Rishabhdev and went to Badrikashram with his wife Meru Devi to worship God.

Coronation of Lord Rishabhdev

Married Life Of Lord Rishabhdev

Lord Rishbhadev become the father of 99 Sons and a daughter by following the married life with his wife, Goddess Sumangala. His eldest Son was named Bharat, who had the same unique qualities as he had.

His another wife was Sunanda. Goddess Sunanda gave birth to a Son named Bhahubali and a daughter named Sundari. Bhahubali was extremely elegant and literate. All their Sons and daughters were very serviceable and followed the path of religion.

Teachings Of Lord Rishabhdev

Once Lord Rishabhdev went to Brahmavart country with his Sons. He gave many sermons to his Sons in the discussion of Sages. Rishbhadev preached to his Sons and said, "The goal of man's life is only to attain the imperishable Soul. So a person should stay away from physical pleasures and lead a restrained life by following the principles of religion (Dharm), finance (Arth), Desires (kaam) and salvation (Moksha).

Sermons of Lord Rishabhdev

The supreme holy Soul is achieved only through austerity by purifying the consciousness of a person. So man must do divine austerity to purify his consciousness." Lord Rishbhadev gave many sermons related to the Soul, the Supreme Soul and the World to his Sons. The teachings of Lord Rishabhdev are called "Jinvani". In Jainism, "Jinwani" is described in detail.

In Rishabhdev's kingdom, his countrymen were extremely satisfied and behaved like him. He was an independent thinker opposing the traditions. He performed many sacrificial fires for the benefit of his people and completed many religious rituals.

Renunciation Of Lord Rishabhdev

To make the world aware of new traditions he renunciated the kingdom and gave the throne to his eldest son Bharat and went for austerity in the forest. He took a complete digamber form and took a samadhi under a banyan tree to do austerity. Though he was fully enlightened, he did harsh austerity to teach the World. With the influence of his harsh austerity, the seven principles and navnidhiya stood before him hands folded.

Lord Rishabhdev absorbed in austerity

He concentrated only in God, not caring for these materialistic pleasures. He started an extremely harsh fast along with austerity. He kept on fasting for six months in that forest and after that, he departed to Hastinapur. He ended his vow by taking sugarcane juice from king Shreyansh in Hastinapur.

Lord Rishabhdev breaking his fast

Thereafter, he again came to the forest and sat under the lay tree to do penance. He attained enlightenment under the same lay tree. Enlightenment is known as "KEWALGYAN" in Jainism.

Divine aura of Lord Rishabhdev

Attaining The Salvation

While moving into the entire Aryavrat, Lord Rishabhdev preached the knowledge to the people. When he saw the people were interrupting his yoga and penance, he came back to the forest and began living in solitude. His body produced a divine fragrance that could be smelled from miles away. Through that divine aroma, People wishing to see him, used to come to meet him in the forest.

After teaching the power of penance and fasting to the entire world, he departed towards the Supreme divine Land of Lord Shiva, Mount Kailash. In Mount Kailash, Lord Rishabhdev left his physical body and attained salvation by sitting in Padmaasan Mudra at the time of Sun Rise in Uttaradhadha Nakshatra on the fourteenth day of the month of Magha (January).

Sage Shukdev says to the king Prikshit that the incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born in the world to show the path of salvation to people full of rage and malice. Therefore I bow down to him.

Supreme power of Lord Rishabhdev

The story of Lord Rishabhdev overthrows all sins and takes a man to the path of salvation. People who listen to, and narrate his stories with devotion easily get salvation.