Neminath

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Neminath (Arishtanemi) in English:

Book Title: Neminath Author: Surendra Bothra Publisher: Surendra Bothra

This document, intended for private and personal use by Jain Education International, focuses on the life and teachings of Neminath, also known as Arishtanemi, the 22nd Tirthankara in Jain tradition.

The text highlights that while the lives of all Jain Tirthankaras are imbued with the spirit and practice of non-violence (ahimsa), Arishtanemi stands out due to a significant life change triggered by an outburst of innate compassion.

Arishtanemi is recognized as one of the three Jain Tirthankaras mentioned in ancient non-Jain texts as proponents of the path of non-violence. His mention is found in the Rigveda at four places. The renowned Buddhist scholar Dhammananda Kosambi identifies the sage Ghor Angiras of the Chandogya Upanishad as Arishtanemi. According to Dr. Radhakrishnan, Rishabha, Ajita, and Arishtanemi are mentioned as Tirthankaras in the Yajurveda. The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata recounts Arishtanemi's sermon on the path to salvation to King Sagara.

According to Jain Puranic narratives, Arishtanemi was born in the Harivamsa lineage. In ancient times, there was a kingdom called Shauripur (Sauripur) on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its founder, King Souri, had two sons, Andhaka Vrishni and Bhogavrishni. Andhaka Vrishni had ten sons, known as the Dasharhas: Samudravijaya, Ashoka, Stambhita, Sagara, Himavan, Achala, Dharana, Purana, Abhichandra, and Vasudeva. Samudravijaya and Vasudeva were particularly influential and famous. Samudravijaya had four sons: Arishtanemi, Rathnemi, Satyanemi, and Dridhanemi. Vasudeva's two main sons were Krishna and Balarama. Thus, Arishtanemi and Shri Krishna were cousins.

As Arishtanemi grew older, marriage proposals were made to him. Despite repeated requests, the naturally detached Arishtanemi did not agree. Krishna then instructed all his queens to persuade Arishtanemi to marry. The queens, like Rukmini and Satyabhama, cleverly convinced Arishtanemi, and his marriage was fixed with Rajimati, the daughter of Ugrasena. Without delay, the auspicious time for the wedding was set, and all preparations were made. On the appointed day, the wedding procession set out with full grandeur. The groom, Arishtanemi, was seated on Krishna's finest elephant.

Meanwhile, Ugrasena had prepared various delicacies to welcome guests and had also gathered hundreds of animals, confining them in an enclosure. As the wedding procession approached the enclosure, Kumar Arishtanemi heard the cries of the terrified, voiceless animals. This sorrowful sound melted the compassionate heart of the prince. He inquired about it from the mahout.

The mahout explained that some animals and birds were tied up in a nearby enclosure to be used for the wedding feast. As soon as the prince heard this, a wave of sadness and overwhelming compassion washed over him. He thought, "So many innocent creatures will be brutally killed because of me? No, this is not right. I must put an end to this cruel tradition and show the world the path of compassion and non-violence." Prince Arishtanemi stopped his elephant and told the mahout to go and free all the animals and birds. After the mahout returned having freed the innocent creatures, the prince took off all his ornaments, gave them to the mahout, and asked to return to Dwarka. King Samudravijaya, Krishna, and other elders tried their best to dissuade him, but their efforts were in vain. When the prince was determined not to stop, he said, "Just as animals and birds were bound by chains, we too spend our lives devoid of compassion, bound by the chains of karma. We cause suffering to others and consequently suffer ourselves. To be free from these bonds, I must pave the way for compassion and non-violence. Please forgive me." After his self-dedication, Lord Arishtanemi attained omniscience (Kevala Jnana) after only fifty-four days of penance. Subsequently, Neminath traveled extensively for a long time, preaching the message of non-violence. On one occasion, Krishna, concerned about the future of the Yadavas who were engrossed in pleasures, approached him. Neminath described the bleak future of the Yadavas, who were indulging in alcohol and meat, and advised him to stop it. Krishna understood the message. He had all the alcohol in Dwarka thrown into the forest and effectively banned the consumption of meat and alcohol. This is likely the first instance of a prohibition rule being implemented by a state, and Lord Arishtanemi was its inspiration.