Bhagwan Aadinath

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Bhagwan Adinath:

The book "Bhagwan Adinath" by the JAINA Education Committee, as presented on page 1, introduces the Jain concept of time as infinite, cyclical, and divided into ascending (Utsarpini) and descending (Avasarpini) periods. Each period consists of six eras called "Äräs." The current era is the fifth Ärä of the Avasarpini, known as the "Dusham Ärä" (Unhappy Era) or Kaliyuga.

In the earlier stages of this descending cycle, life was simpler and more natural. People lived in small tribes with leaders called Kulkars. Towards the end of the third Ärä, King Näbhiräyä ruled peacefully. His wife, Queen Marudevi, gave birth to Rishabha.

As the world changed and population increased, nature became less bountiful, leading to a struggle for survival and the emergence of jealousy. Näbhiräyä entrusted the kingdom to his intelligent and bold son, Rishabha. Rishabha, a visionary, recognized the need for a system to produce necessities. He introduced crop cultivation, ushering in material civilization and teaching people essential life skills such as building houses, making clothes, farming, and domesticating animals. This led to the establishment of the first city, Vinita, later known as Ayodhya.

Rishabha married Sumangalä and Sunandä, institutionalizing marriage and family life, and establishing social order. He became known as King Rishabhadev and ruled with equitable laws, bringing peace and happiness.

Page 2 details Rishabhadev's progeny. He had 100 sons, including the notable Bharat and Bähubali, and two daughters, Brähmi and Sundari. Bharat was a warrior and ruler, after whom India is believed to be named. Bähubali was known for his immense strength. Brähmi is credited with developing the art of writing and the Brähmi script, while Sundari excelled in mathematics.

A pivotal moment in Rishabhadev's life occurred when he witnessed a dancer's sudden death. This event profoundly disturbed him, leading him to contemplate the impermanence of life and the universe. He decided to renounce worldly life in pursuit of lasting happiness, distributing his kingdom among his children, including Bharat and Bähubali. He then became a monk, accompanied by thousands of followers.

As a monk, Rishabhadev practiced severe austerities and meditation, leading to a prolonged fast. His followers, unable to sustain themselves on fruits and vegetables gathered from the jungle, were in distress.

Page 3 explains Rishabhadev's efforts to guide his followers. He began begging for alms, but people, remembering him as their king, offered him valuable items instead of food. This resulted in his extended fast. Finally, on the third day of the bright half of Vaisakha (Akshaya Tritiya), his great-grandson Shreyans offered him sugarcane juice, ending his 400-day fast. This event is commemorated by the Varsitapa austerity, where people fast on alternate days for 400 days and break their fast with sugarcane juice on Akshaya Tritiya.

After years of rigorous austerities, Rishabhadev attained Keval-jnan (omniscience) under a banyan tree on the 11th day of the dark half of Falgun. He then established the fourfold religious order: monks (Sadhus), nuns (Sadhvis), laymen (Shravaks), and laywomen (Shravikas), known as the Jain Sangha. His son Bharat's son, Rushabhsen, led the monks, and Brähmi and Sundari led the nuns.

As the founder of this religious order, Rishabhadev is recognized as the first Tirthankar of the current time cycle. The name "Adinath" signifies "the first Lord" or "the beginning Lord." He lived a long life, teaching about eternal happiness and the principles of both ascetic and householder life. The text emphasizes the importance of offering pure food to monks, highlighting Shreyans' act of generosity and the virtue of Dana Dharma.