Tirthankar 14 Anantnath Bhagwan Parichay

This document is a compilation of information about the 14th Tirthankar, Lord Anantnath, presented in 185 sections ("dwaras"). The author, Munishri Deepratnasagar, has gathered this information from various Jain scriptures and texts, including "Saptatishat Sthana Gara," "Aavashyak Niryukti," "Moolachar," "Pravachan Saroddhar," "Tirthasthanik Panna," "Trishashthi Shalaka Purusha Charitra," "Varupanna Mahapurusha Charitra," "Samvayang Sutta," and "Agam Katha Nuyog."

The introduction highlights the historical context of the compilation, which began around 2001 but was delayed due to the author's other extensive scriptural works. The author also acknowledges that while "Saptatishat Sthana Gara" is the primary source, other texts were consulted, and some information from the primary source was omitted or modified.

A significant part of the introduction and the subsequent pages address the issue of pathantaras or textual variations. The author clarifies that not all numbers and details presented are universally agreed upon across all Jain scriptures. Examples are given regarding the number of Ganadharas (disciples) for other Tirthankaras, their attendant nuns, and even specific events in the lives of Tirthankaras like Mallinath, showing that discrepancies exist in scriptural accounts. This honesty about textual variations is crucial for a comprehensive understanding.

The core of the document then provides detailed information about Lord Anantnath, covering numerous aspects of his life and teachings, structured by the 185 "dwaras" or points. Here's a summary of the key information presented:

Early Life and Background:

• Name: Anantnath
• Position in the Current Cycle of Time: 14th Tirthankar.
• Previous Lives (3): Padmadhar King, Pranat Dev, and then Anantnath.
• Previous Birthplace: Dhatkikhand continent, Airavat region, north of Meru Parvat, in the city of Rishthanagari.
• Previous Name: Padmarath.
• Previous Status: Mandlik King.
• Guru in Previous Life: Chitrarath.
• Cause for Tirthankar Namakarma Bondage: Involved devotion to Arihants, Siddhas, the Jain teachings (Pravachan), gurus, senior monks, learned monks, ascetic monks, continuous concentration, flawless perception, humility, observance of duties, flawless conduct, flawless vows, momentary equanimity, austere equanimity, equanimity of renunciation, equanimity of service, acquisition of unique knowledge, devotion to scriptures, and propagation of teachings.
• Scriptural Knowledge in Previous Life: Eleven Angas.
• Heavenly Abode in Previous Life: Pranat Devlok.
• Lifespan in Heaven: 20 sagaropam.
• Descent (Chyavan): Shravan Vad 7 (Shastriya), Ashadh Vad 7 (Gujarati), Revati nakshatra, Meen rashi, observed in the middle of the night.
• Maternal Dreams: Upon conception, his mother (Suyasha Devi) saw 14 auspicious dreams (Elephant, Bull, Lion, Lakshmi, Garland, Moon, Sun, Flag, Full Pot, Lotus Lake, Ocean of Milk, Divine Chariot, Pile of Jewels, Fire). The text notes that the sequence of dreams is generally similar for all Tirthankaras, but Rishabhdev's mother saw a bull first.
• Conception: No special vow was made during conception.
• Gestation: 9 months and 6 days.
• Birth: Revati nakshatra, Vaishakh Vad 13 (Shastriya), Chaitra Vad 13 (Gujarati), Meen rashi, middle of the night.
• Era at Birth: The latter half of the fourth era, with 7 sagaropam, 95 lakh, 84 thousand years and 89 days remaining.
• Birthplace: Ayodhya city in the Koshal country.
• Divine Attendance at Birth: 56 Dik-kumaris from lower, upper, and cardinal directions attended, performing purification, showering auspicious water and flowers, holding mirrors, fanning, and holding lamps.
• Coronation Site: Atishay Pandukambalshila, south of Pandukvan.
• Attending Deities: 64 Indras (10 from 12 Kalpa heavens, 2 from Jyotishka heavens, 20 from Bhavanpati, 32 from Vyantara) attended and performed various rituals like creating his likeness, bathing him with 1008 pots, anointing him with sandalwood, worshipping him with flowers, dressing him, adorning him, blessing him with nectar, and showering wealth.
• Parents: Mother: Suyasha Devi; Father: Simhasen.
• Caste: Purusha (Human).
• Parents' Heavenly Abode: Sanatkumara Devlok.
• Clan: Ikshvaku.
• Gotra: Kasyap.
• Lanchhan (Symbol): Plough (Sinchaano).
• Meaning of Name: Derived from the infinite nature of his knowledge and other qualities, and from his mother seeing an infinite string of pearls in a dream.
• Physical Attributes: Possesses 1008 auspicious physical marks, Vajrushabhanarich samyahan (physique), Samachatursra samsthan (posture), Moti, Shruta, and Avadhijnana in his youth, born in the Dev lineage, Hasti yoni, Golden complexion, exceptionally radiant appearance, infinite strength (greater than Vasudeva and Chakravarti).
• Height: 50 Dhanush (Utsadhāṅgul), 120 Angulas (Ātmāṅgul), 12 Angulas (Pramāṇāṅgul).
• Food: Ambrosia from the Indra's thumb in childhood, later specific grains.
• Marital Status: Was married.
• Conjugal Relations: Engaged in marital relations with his own wife.
• Duration of Princely Life: 10 lakh years.
• Reign: 15 lakh years.
• Status: Mandlik King, not a Chakravarti.

Spiritual Journey:

• Attainment of Enlightenment (Bodh): He was self-enlightened (Swayambuddha).
• Occasion of Renunciation (Diksha): Lokantika deities like Archis, Archimali, and Vairochana informed him of the auspicious time for renunciation.
• Charity: Gave 1 crore 8 lakh gold coins daily as Vardsidan (charitable donation).
• Annual Charity: 388 crore 80 lakh gold coins.
• Time of Charity: From sunrise to noon.
• Renunciation Date: Vaishakh Vad 14 (Shastriya), Chaitra Vad 14 (Gujarati), Revati nakshatra, Meen rashi, in the western part of the day.
• Penance at Renunciation: Sixth fast.
• Age at Renunciation: In his later age, after enjoying his kingdom.
• Palanquin Name: Sagar Datta.
• Companions at Renunciation: 1000 men.
• Direction of Departure: Left in the Tirthankar's divine attire.
• City of Departure: Ayodhya.
• Forest of Renunciation: Sahasravana.
• Tree of Renunciation: Ashoka tree.
• Hair Plucking (Locha): Five handfuls.
• Knowledge at Renunciation: Manahparyaya Jnana (mind-reading knowledge).
• Divine Garment (Devadushya): Placed on his shoulders by Indra and remained for one year (or throughout his life, according to another account).
• First Meal (Pāranu): Received after one day, made of Paramanna (kheer).
• Place of First Meal: Vardhamanpur.
• First Alms Giver: Vijay.
• Destiny of First Alms Giver: Attained liberation in that life or the third life.
• Divine Manifestations at First Alms: Proclamation of 'Ahodaan', five divine signs (divine musical instruments, rain of gold coins, fragrant water and flower shower, garment shower).
• Amount of Gold Shower: Twelve and a half crore gold coins.
• Superior Penance in his Teaching Period: Eight months.
• Area of His Travels: Aryadesha (Jambudvipa).
• Duration as a Layperson with Knowledge (Chhadmastha): 3 years.
• Enlightenment Date: Vaishakh Vad 14 (Shastriya), Chaitra Vad 14 (Gujarati), Revati nakshatra, Meen rashi, in the eastern part of the day.
• Place of Enlightenment: Ayodhya.
• Forest of Enlightenment: Sahasravana.
• Tree of Enlightenment: Ashoka tree.
• Height of Enlightenment Tree: 12 times the height of the Lord's body (600 Dhanush).
• Penance at Enlightenment: Sixth fast.
• Atishayas (Supernatural Abilities): 34 atishayas (4 from birth, 19 created by gods, 11 arising from the destruction of karmas).
• Qualities of Speech: 35 qualities of speech, including Sanskrit-like pronouncements.
• Eight Pratiharayas (Imperial Attendants): Ashoka tree, shower of Panchavarsha flowers, divine sound, white fly-whisks, throne, halo, kettle drum sound, parasols.
• Chaitya Tree (First Pratiharya): Ashoka tree, 600 Dhanush in height.
• Absence of 18 Flaws: Free from the obstacles of charity, gain, energy, consumption, enjoyment, disgust, fear, ignorance, sleep, non-restraint, desire for sensual pleasures, laughter, sorrow, hatred, wrong faith, attachment, and non-liking.
• Establishment of the Tirth: In the first Samavasarana (great assembly).
• Period of Tirth Activity: Until the time of Lord Suparshvanath.
• Disruption of Tirth: For one-fourth of a Palyopama.
• First Ganadhara: Yash.
• First Sadhvi: Padma.
• First Shravaka: Information not available.
• First Shravika: Information not available.
• Chief Devotee: Purushottam.
• Yaksha: Patal.
• Yakshini: Ankusha.
• Gana (Group of Disciples): 4.
• Ganadharas: 50.
• Sadhus: 66,000 (another account says 1,00,000).
• Shravakas: 2,06,000.
• Shravikas: 4,14,000.
• Kevalis (Omniscient Beings): 5000.
• Manahparyavajnanis: 5000.
• Avadhijnanis: 4300.
• Chaturdash Purvis (Those who know 14 Purvas): 1000.
• Vaikriyallabdhadharas (Those with transformations): 8000.
• Vadimunis (Debating Monks): 3200.
• Samanya Munis (Ordinary Monks): 39,450.
• Anuttaropapatika Munis: Information not available.
• Prakirnaka Compositions: 66,000.
• Monastic Vows: Four Great Vows.
• Layperson Vows: Twelve Vows.
• Types of Conduct (Charitra): Three - Samayika, Sukshmasamparaya, Yathakhyata.
• Number of Elements: Nine elements (Jiva, etc.) or three (Deity, Guru, Dharma).
• Samayika Practices: Four - Samyakva, Chyuta, Deshvirati, Sarvavirati.
• Pratikramana (Confession): Two - Rai, Devasik.
• Night-time Eating: Considered an Uttara Guna (higher virtue).
• Achelaka-kalpa (Non-clothed): Achalakyā, Diksha, etc., in 6 types.
• Adherence to Monastic Conduct: Easy to understand and follow.
• Shat-avashyaka (Six Essential Duties): Performed when the cause arises.
• Nature of Munis: Wise and learned.
• Propagated Dharma: Angara (ascetic) or Shrutacharitra (scriptural conduct).
• Monastic Attire: Any color.
• Monastic Attire Size: As available.
• Duration of Lay Life: 22,50,000 years.
• Duration of Omniscience: 3 years less than 60 lakh years.
• Total Period of Renunciation: 10 lakh years.
• Total Lifespan: 30 lakh years.
• Endurance of Hardships: Endured various afflictions like heat, cold, etc., properly.
• Final Destination: Moksha (Siddhigati), abode of eternal and unhindered happiness.
• Funeral Rites: Cremation (no burial etc.).
• Liberation Date: Chaitra Sud 5 (Shastriya and Gujarati), Revati nakshatra, Meen rashi, in the first part of the night, from Samet Shikhar mountain.
• Posture at Liberation: Kayotsarga (standing meditation).
• Height at Liberation: 33.33 Dhanush.
• Penance at Liberation: Masakshaman (fasting for a month).
• Companions in Liberation: 7000.
• Era at Liberation: The midpoint of the fourth era, with 7 sagaropam, 65 lakh, 84 thousand years and 89 days remaining.
• Land Created by the Tirthankar: Up to a countable number of men, and for one day at the end of the era.
• Duration in Previous States of Existence: Countless ages.
• Interruption of Previous States: After countless ages.
• Interval between Tirthankaras: After Lord Anantnath, Lord Dharmanath attained Nirvana after 4 sagaropam.
• Marvels in His Tirth: No specific marvels are mentioned.
• Chakravartis in His Tirth: None.
• Vasudevs in His Tirth: Purushottam Vasudev.
• Baldevs in His Tirth: Suprabha Baldev.
• Prativassudevs in His Tirth: Madhukaitabha Prativassudev.
• Abhishek at Birth: 250 types of abhishek involving various celestial beings, resulting in 1 crore 60 lakh ablutions using 64,000 pots each.

The document concludes with the contact information of Munishri Deepratnasagarji Maharaj and a brief bio highlighting his extensive work in compiling and publishing Jain literature.

In essence, this book provides a highly detailed and structured biographical account of the 14th Tirthankar, Lord Anantnath, drawing from a wide range of Jain scriptures while also addressing the important aspect of textual variations within those scriptures.