Pārśvanātha
Videos
Pārśvanātha, or Pārśva and Pārasanātha, was the 23rd of 24 tīrthaṅkaras of Jainism. Pārśvanātha is the earliest Jaina tīrthaṅkara who is acknowledged as a historical figure, with some teachings attrib
The ancient idol of Parshvanatha at Shankheshwar, Gujarat
A 10th-century CE idol of Pārśvanātha from Patan, Gujarat
Parshvanatha led the shramana order in 9th century BCE
23rd Jain Tirthankar, Parshwanatha re-organized the shraman sangha in 9th century BCE
History of Jainism
Videos
Jainism is an ancient Indian religion belonging to the Śramaṇa tradition. Jains trace their history through a lineage of twenty-four tirthankaras, revering Rishabhanatha as the first in the present ti
Bahubali, son of Rishabhanatha (first Jain tirthankara), practicing meditation in standing Kayotsarga posture. (Photo: Gommateshwara statue, Shravanbelagola)
Triangular prism sealing from Indus Valley Civilisation, depicting a male cult figure seated in a yogic posture on a throne, a bull-like animal, and five characters in the Indus script. From Mohenjo-daro, Mature Harrapean period, c. 2600-1900 BC. Ashmolean Museum.
An 8th-century CE brass idol of Parshvanatha. It depicts the 23rd tirthankara, the earliest Jain leader accepted by scholars as a historical figure (c. 9th–8th century BCE), and illustrates the later artistic tradition associated with him.
A modern depiction of Mahavira. As a contemporary of the Buddha, Mahavira is a key historical anchor, recognized by scholars as a reformer of the pre-existing Nigantha community.