Shree Neminath Bhagwan: Life Stories of the Twenty-second Tirthankara

Shree Neminath Bhagwan was the 22^nd Tirthankara of the present time cycle. His body complexion was black and his height was 10 bows. Neminath Bhagwan’s symbol (laanchhan) is conch (shankh). Gomedh Yaksh Dev and Ambika Devi are the Lord’s Shaasan Dev and Shaashan Devi, respectively.

In Neminath Bhagwan’s final birth, His marriage was decided with Princess Rajul, and since past eight births, they had passed life together as husband and wife. This is a unique thing in the spiritual history. Actually, our birth happens based on karma. A husband and wife, each get their new birth based on their own individual karmic accounts; therefore, to be together for so many births is not quite possible. Lord Neminath and Rajul had never seen a single fault of each other. Due to this reason, since last eight births, they were reincarnating as husband and wife.

Come, let’s now read about the Lord’s life story and His past eight births.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan – The First Two Births

Tirthankara Shree Neminath Bhagwan’s first birth was as King Dhanpati. When King Dhanpati was in the womb of his mother, his mother had a dream. In that dream, she saw only one mango tree planted at nine different places. When the mother enquired regarding the purpose and the result of her dream, she was told that it conveyed that the next nine births of the child that was in her womb will be each better than the previous one, and he would be born as a majestic man.

Prince Dhanpati, in his youth, was extremely good looking and brave. On the other side, Rajul, in her first birth, was a beautiful and smart princess by the name Dhanvati. For Princess Dhanvati’s father, it was a tough job choosing a groom suitable for his daughter.

One day, Princess Dhanvati had been to a garden with her friends. There, she saw a painter painting a picture of a very handsome guy. Looking at the picture, Princess Dhanvati was stunned and she instantly fell in love. When she asked the painter regarding the person in the picture, the painter informed that it was the picture of Prince Dhanpati, who in reality, looked even more handsome than in the picture.

Princess Dhanvati immediately decided to marry him. Fortunately, the father of Prince Dhanpati and the father of Princess Dhanvati happened to be friends. Both the kings fixed the engagement of their children, and finally, both got married.

Once an ailing Monk came to Prince Dhanpati’s kingdom and fell unconscious; he was very ill. Prince Dhanpati and Princess Dhanvati took great care of him. Later, upon handing over the throne to Prince Dhanpati, his father took Diksha from the Monk.

After some years, the same Monk came again to King Dhanpati’s kingdom. This time, King Dhanpati and Queen Dhanvati also took Diksha from him; and practicing devotional worship, they completed their life. 

In the next birth, Lord Neminath and Rajul took birth as a Dev and a Devi, respectively. Even there, the two passed good time with each other.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan – The Third and Fourth Births

In the third birth, Neminath Bhagwan took birth as Vidyadhar Chitragati and Rajul as Princess Ratnavati. Princess Ratnavati was extremely beautiful and intelligent.

When Ratnavati was born, her father had asked a Muni Maharaj that to whom would my daughter be married to. Muni Maharaj had then given her father the following three indications; these three indications when seen together in one person, he alone would be said to be eligible to marry Ratnavati:

1. One who will win lifting the extremely strong khadag (sword) owned by you,
2. On whom while worshipping the Tirthankara Lords, flowers will be showered, and
3. Seeing whom, your daughter shall immediately fall in love.

On the other hand, there was a Prince named Sumitra. Sumitra’s step-mother had given poison to Sumitra so that she could crown her own son. As a result, Prince Sumitra was in an unconscious state for a very long time. At that time, while passing by, Vidyadhar Chitragati could see a crowd of sad people. Vidyadhars have the skills and divine power of flying. With his knowledge, Chitragati treated the unconscious Prince Sumitra and made him well. Prince Sumitra and Vidyadhar Chitragati became close friends.

Once it so happened that the brother of Princess Ratnavati kidnapped the married sister of Prince Sumitra. On getting these news, Prince Sumitra was very upset and he called his friend Vidyadhar Chitragati for help. A fierce battle took place between Chitragati and Ratnavati’s brother and Chitragati won that battle.  

In the battle, Vidyadhar Chitragati snatched away Princess Ratnavati’s father’s khadag and saved Sumitra’s sister. This surprised the king and made him think that his khadag, which no one can lift, Chitragati lifted it without any fear, and also, he won the battle too.

On the other hand, Chitragati’s friend Prince Sumitra lost interest in this world and took Diksha. After taking Diksha, once while Sumitra Muni was engaged in worship, his step-brother saw him, and out of hatred, he hit Sumitra Muni with an arrow. However, no feeling of hatred arose in Muni Sumitra towards his step brother, and with the understanding that the hurt that the arrow caused was due to my own unfolding karma, he finished his karma with equanimity. Since he left his body in equanimity, he got the next birth in heaven. 

Upon hearing the news of his friend’s death, Vidyadhar Chitragati was heartbroken; he was in pain, and hence, went on a pilgrimage. He went to Jin temples, and with great faith, sung God’s hymns. Sumitra Muni, who was a celestial being in the heaven, was very pleased to see his best friend Vidyadhar Chitragati engrossed in Tirthankara God’s worship, and thus, showered flowers on him. Seeing all of this, it signalled to the father of Princess Ratnavati that two of the three indications given for her daughter’s marriage were fulfilled. So finally, he took his daughter Ratnavati to Vidyadhar Chitragati, and the moment Ratnavati saw him, she got attracted towards him at the first sight. Thereafter, Vidyadhar Chitragati and Princess Ratnavati’s marriage took place.

Chitragati ruled the kingdom very nicely for quite a long period. A few years later, both Vidyadhar Chitragati and Princess Ratnavati took Diksha. They passed their life doing great devotional worship.

The fourth birth of Lord Neminath and Rajul happened in heaven as a Dev and a Devi, respectively; there they spent time with each other for a long time.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan – The Fifth and Sixth Births

The fifth birth of Neminath Bhagwan and Rajul was as King Aparajit and Queen Pritimati, respectively.

Queen Pritimati, when a princess, was so beautiful that every king wanted to marry her. A swayamvar ceremony was arranged for Princess Pritimati and all the kings were invited to this ceremony. The princess had decided that whoever would be able to give the right answers to her questions would be the one to whom she would marry.

Prince Aparajit, too, attended the swayamvar, but in disguise of an ugly person. While all other kings were unable to answer her questions, Prince Aparajit was the only one to give precise answers to all the questions and pass her each and every test. Thereafter, Princess Pritimati put the garland onto Kumar Aparajit.

However, the kings present there did not like this as they thought that Prince Aparajit looked very ugly. But just then, Prince Aparajit revealed his true looks, seeing which all kings were amazed. Later, Prince Aparajit fought with all kings, attained victory and got married to Pritimati. After few years, King Aparajit and Queen Pritimati took Diksha and passed the rest of their life.

In the sixth birth, Lord Neminath and Rajul took birth as a Dev and a Devi, respectively and passed long life together.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan - The Seventh and Eighth Births

The seventh birth of Lord Neminath and Rajul took place as King Shankh and Queen Yashomati, respectively.

Once when Prince Shankh went out with his friends, they got far away from the kingdom. When it was about to become night, they took a stay at one place. Just then, suddenly, Shankh Kumar heard a loud mourning sound of a woman. Upon enquiry, he came to know that the voice was of an old woman. Prince Shankh Kumar asked that woman the reason why she was crying. Upon checking, he came to know that along with that old woman was also a Princess named Yashomati, but someone had kidnapped the Princess. The kidnapper left saying that he would also marry the princess. The old woman sought help from the prince to bring princess Yashomati back.

Upon enquiring further, Prince Shankh came to know that Princess Yashomati was kidnapped through a Vidyadhar. Finally, Prince Shankh fought with the kidnapper and saved Princess Yashomati from the kidnapper. Princess Yashomati had decided earlier that she would marry the person whom she likes at the first sight. So, Princess Yashomati got married to Prince Shankh. After marriage, ruling over the kingdom for many long years, King Shankh and Queen Yashomati took Diksha.

Due to intense worship of God and worshipping Vees Sthanak, King Shankh happened to bind the most auspicious Tirthankara-naam-gotra karma!

In the eight birth, once again, Lord Neminath and Rajul took birth as a Dev and a Devi, respectively. There too, they both spent a long time together.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan - Birth

On completing the lifespan in heaven, Neminath Bhagwan was conceived and born at King Samudravijay and Queen Shiva Devi’s place, located in the Bharatkshetra’s Shauryapur Nagri. Neminath Bhagwan was the son of the Yadav clan’s King Samudravijay. King Samudravijay was the eldest of the 10 brothers and King Vasudev, who was the father of Lord Krishna, was the youngest brother. Thus, Shree Krishna Bhagwan and Shree Neminath Bhagwan were first cousins.

Before the birth of Tirthankara Lord Neminath, Queen Shiva Devi had 14 dreams. The parents named Lord as Arishtnemi. In his family, all had a dark complexion. Lord Neminath and Shree Krishna Vasudev, too, had a dark complexion. Even today, in temples, Lord Neminath and Shree Krishna Bhagwan’s idols are black in colour.

Non-violent Life

Right from birth, Lord Neminath was a lover of non-violence, compassionate and kind-hearted. During his childhood, once while playing, He landed up in the school of weaponry wherein He blew a big conch. Seeing this, everyone was stunned. Actually, no one but Vasudev could blow that conch but by blowing this conch at such a small age, Lord Neminath gave a tremendous proof of his power.

Being born as a prince in the Yadav clan, at the time of war, Lord Neminath also was required to join the war. Although Lord was tremendously skilful in using the bow and arrow, at the time of war, He never used that skill to kill anyone. He would rather break someone’s bow with His arrow, fling someone’s crown, aim his arrow at someone’s chariot, or simply fling off some people’s bow so that the opposition enemy becomes helpless. Thus, Lord Neminath fought the battle without causing any violence or hurting anyone.

His compassion and kindness were indeed unique. Being a Tirthankara, Lord Neminath’s strength was many times more than that of a Chakravarti and Vasudev. However, He used all his power in attaining the Self (Soul) and winning over kashays (internal enemies), not in winning over external enemies. One who has won over His kashays, who has won over the anger, pride, deceit and greed (kashays) is called an Arihant. All Tirthankaras are called Arihants. All Tirthankaras are kshatriyas and extremely powerful. Only the one who can defeat external enemies can defeat own internal enemies.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan – Dispassion and Diksha

When Neminath Bhagwan grew young, His family had the desire to get Him married. However, from the beginning, Lord Neminath was detached; He was not interested in any worldly pleasures.

Once Lord Krishna’s eight queens took Nemi Kumar to a park. They entertained Nemi Kumar in every way. The queens were trying to convince Nemi Kumar for his marriage. However, Nemi Kumar did not say “Yes” or “No”; He just kept smiling. Seeing this shy gesture, the queens considered his silence as “Yes” for getting married. Thus, Lord Krishna and the other elders decided to get Him married to the younger sister of Queen Satyabhama, Princess Rajimati (Rajul), who was very pious and extremely beautiful.

King Ugrasen made pompous arrangements for his daughter Rajimiti’s wedding. Rajul, dressed as a bride, was anxiously waiting to get married. On the other hand, Arishtnemi, with a huge bridegroom's procession, was on the way for marriage. There suddenly, a cruel sound fell in the ears of Nemi Kumar. He could hear the sound of animals, crying and mourning aloud in fear, trying to save their lives. Listening to these horrible sounds, Arishtnemi’s compassionate heart was greatly moved. He couldn’t bear this; he asked the charioteer to stop the chariot and check why were the animals crying in fear.

The charioteer said that the sounds were of different animals. Hen, goat, cow, calves, deer and many others shall be killed and cooked to be served as food for the bridegroom’s procession. So much of violence because of Him; His heart reached out to the innocent animals who would be killed for no reason just for the sake of fun and frolic in marriage.

Nemi Kumar decided not to marry and He asked the charioteer to turn the chariot back. Seeing the chariot turn, the Ministers, Lord Shree Krishna, his Queens, King Ugrasen, King Samudravijay, Queen Shiva Devi and all His relatives tried to convince Him to return and marry. They set free all the animals, but Nemi Kumar was firm.

Tremendous dispassion had developed inside Him. He said to the people persuading Him to change His decision, “The animals have been set free, but now, I want to get free from the bondage of birth and death. I will never see this side now.” He firmly proceeded towards His home and the entire bridegroom’s procession returned home.

When Princess Rajimati got to know about all of this, she fell unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she could not stop her tears for months together. She was shocked.

Here, the Devas came down to meet Arishtnemi and requested Him to take Diksha. For a year, Prince Arishtnemi did varsidaan, and thereafter, took Diksha. Many other Shravaks and Shravikas also took Diksha along with Him. Upon taking Diksha, the fourth type of Gnan, the Manahparyav Gnan, manifested in the Lord.

Lord Neminath’s elder brother, Rathnemi, felt very bad for Rajul. To console her, he began sending her gifts at short intervals. He had started liking her; but Rajul had no such feelings for him. Rajul was in a state of pain and shock due to her separation from Arishtnemi. Hence, she did not understand the intentions of Rathnemi. She would just put aside the gifts received from him. However, Prince Rathnemi misunderstood that even she has started liking him as she accepted all the gifts. Thinking so, he went to her palace and proposed to her. Rajul asked him to come later.

The next day, when Prince Rathnemi came to meet her, she had drunk a lot of milk. As soon as Rathnemi entered, she vomited into a plate and asked Rathnemi to drink what she had spewed. Rathnemi was puzzled and he said, “How can I drink this?”

Rajul explained, “Likewise, I, too, am engaged to Arishtnemi. Then, how can you marry me? In my mind, Arishtnemi only is my husband. Other than Him, no one else can ever enter into my mind.” Listening to this, Rathnemi realized his mistake. He asked for her forgiveness and went away from there. With this, even Rathnemi and Rajul experienced dispassion and they decided to take Diksha.

After Diksha, both went on their respective paths and were completing their unfolding karma.

Once it so happened that while Sadhvi Rajul was in vihaar (travelling barefoot) with the other Sadhvis, all of a sudden it started raining heavily. Everyone ran helter-skelter in search of some shelter. Sadhvi Rajul too ran and got into a dark cave nearby. Due to darkness, she didn’t realize that Sadhu Rathnemi was already there in that cave.

Unaware that Rathnemi was around, Rajul Sadhvi started drying her clothes. Seeing this, lust arose in Rathnemi. He went up to Rajul and said, “Let’s leave this Diksha and enjoy our life together.”

So Sadhvi Rajul, in very strict words, said, “After taking Diksha, you are again talking about marriage?  What life form shall you and I get in the next birth then? Being a Kshatriya and also the elder brother of Lord Neminath, such cowardice? After taking Diksha, instead of attaining Moksha, how can you think of going the other way? You should not even think on these lines now.”

Listening to the sharp speech of Rajul Sadhvi, Sadhu Rathnemi had a lot of repentance in his heart. When he was about to slip, Rajul said such words which got him back. As soon as it was morning, Rathnemi went to Lord Neminath, confessed all his mistakes and washing off his mistakes, he became pure.

Neminath Bhagwan’s Brahmacharya (celibacy) was tremendous. Due to Him, both Rajul and Rathnemi also attained Brahmacharya. Of the 24 Tirthankaras, Lord Neminath and Lord Mallinath did not marry in their birth as a Tirthankara.

Gajsukumar’s Equanimity

Lord Krishna’s younger brother Gajsukumar’s marriage was arranged with Somdatt Brahmin’s daughter, Soma. Since childhood, Gajsukumar was dispassionate, but owing to pressure from his brothers and his mother, he married. He, along with his wife, went to Lord Neminath and took Diksha.

The very next day after taking Diksha, Gajsukumar went to the cremation ground to do the meditation of the Soul. At that time, his father-in-law happened to pass by. Seeing Gajsukumar, the father-in-law got very angry. He held him guilty for his daughter’s condition. The furious father-in-law placed an earthen pot on Gajsukumar's head and placed burning embers of the pyre in it.

It occurred to Gajsukumar that my father-in-law made me wear the turban of salvation. He saw his father-in-law as innocent only. In that meditation, he rapidly progressed on the path of salvation and attained Keval Gnan. The Soul is completely different from the body—that experience of Keval Gnan and Avyabaadh Swarup (unobstructed form) happened to Gajsukumar and he went to Moksha.

Shree Neminath Bhagwan – Keval Gnan and Nirvana

After taking Diksha, 54 days later, Neminath Bhagwan attained Keval Gnan! The celestial Gods created the Samovasaran for Him. He had 11 Ganadhars (chief disciples of a Tirthankara), out of which three Ganadhars were throughout with the Lord since the past nine lives, either as friends, brothers or ministers.

Lord Neminath lived for 1000 years. He took Diksha at the age of 300 years and spent 70% of His lifetime for the salvation of the world. He attained Nirvana from the Girnar Mountain.