Shreyansanath was the eleventh Jain

Tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (; ) is a saviour and supreme preacher of the ''Dharma (Jainism), dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a ''Tirtha (Jainism), tirtha'', a fordable passage across ''Saṃsā ...

of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain beliefs, he became a

Siddha ''Siddha'' (Sanskrit: '; "perfected one") is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture. It means "one who is accomplished." It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of perfection of the intellect as we ...

– a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its

karma Karma (, from , ; ) is an ancient Indian concept that refers to an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptively called ...

. Shreyansanatha was born to King ''Vishnu'' and Queen ''Vishna'' at Simhapuri, near

Sarnath Sarnath (also known as Deer Park, ''Sarangnath'', ''Isipatana Deer Park'', ''Rishipattana'', ''Migadaya'', or ''Mrigadava'')Gabe Hiemstra, "Buddha Chronicle 24: Kassapa Buddhavaṃsa". ''Wisdom Library'', 14 September 2019. is a town nort ...

in the

Ikshvaku dynasty The Solar dynasty or (; ), also called the Ikshvaku dynasty, is a legendary Indian dynasty said to have been founded by Ikshvaku. In Hindu literature, it ruled the Kosala Kingdom, with its capital at Ayodhya, and later at Shravasti. They ...

. His birth date was the twelfth day of the Falgun Krishna month of the Indian calendar.

Teachings on Nirjara

Shreyansnath Swami's teachings emphasized Nirjara, the discharge of karmas. He explained that karmas are in stages of charging and discharging, with Nirjara being the stage of discharge. He distinguished between Akaam Nirjara (discharge without purpose) and Sakaam Nirjara (discharge with purpose). For a self-realized person, Sakaam Nirjara ensures that no new karmas are charged, as they remain vigilant in their awareness of being a Knower and Seer. Shreyansnath also highlighted the importance of penance (tapa) in achieving Sakaam Nirjara. He categorized penance into two types: Bahya Tapa (external penance) and Abhyantar Tapa (internal penance).

Bahya Tapa

The six types of Bahya Tapa are: # Anshan (fasting) # Unodari (eating less) # Vrutti Sankshep (limiting desires) # Ras Tyag (abstaining from taste) # Kayotsarg (meditation) # Sanlinta (modesty)

Abhyantar Tapa

The six types of Abhyantar Tapa are: # Prayashchit (repentance) # Vaiyavach (service to saints) # Swadhyay (study of the self) # Vinay (humility) # Vyutsarg (renunciation) # Dhyan (meditation) Through Abhyantar Tapa, true karmic shedding occurs. Practices like Prayashchit help cleanse sins, while maintaining equanimity and viewing others as innocent aids in achieving liberation.

Nirvana

Shreyansnath Bhagwan's Deshna inspired many to take Diksha and achieve Keval-Gnan and Moksha (liberation). He attained Nirvana from Sammed Shikharji Mountain, along with many Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shravakas, and Shravikas.

Main Temple

The Sarnath Jain Tirth temple located at

Varanasi Varanasi (, also Benares, Banaras ) or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.* * * * The city has a syncretic tradition of I ...

is one of the main shrines of Shreyansanatha.

Gallery

File:Digamber Jain Temple, Sarnath.jpg, Sridigamber Jain Temple, Simhapuri, Sarnath, near

, the birthplace of Shreyansanath. File:Shreyansanatha Gujarat.jpg, Gouche and Silver on paper painting, Gujarat, 18th century. File:Three_sculptures_of_Jain_tirthankaras_in_the_Bhand_Dewal_Temple,_Arang.jpg, Shreyanasanatha idol in Bhand Dewal along with Neminatha and

Ajitnatha Ajitanatha (lit. invincible) was the second ''tirthankara'' of the present age, ''avasarpini'' (half Jain cosmology#Time cycle, time cycle) according to Jainism. He was born to king Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya (Ramayana), Ayodhya in ...

dated back to 9th century File:Shreyansanath Tonk, Shikharji.jpg, Shreyansanath Tonk,

Shikharji Shikharji (), also known as Sammet or Sammed Shikharji, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Jains, in Giridih district, Jharkhand. It is located on Parasnath hill, the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand. It is the most important ...

File:Footprint at Shreyansanath Tonk, Shikharji.jpg, Footprint at Shreyansanath Tonk,

Notes

References

* * Tirthankaras Solar dynasty {{Jainism-stub