Previous Births of Rsabhadeva

Summary

Manjula Mehta explores the accounts of the previous lives of Ṛṣabha­deva, the first tirthankara of the present descending half‑cycle (avasarpaṇī). There is no mention of any previous birth in the Jaina canonical literature, but later commentators supply detailed narratives. Hemacandra’s Trīṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra describes twelve previous births of Ṛṣabha­deva; the Caupannamahāpurisacariyam covers the same twelve, while Jinasena’s Ādipurāṇa lists only nine. The article summarises Hemacandra’s version. Ṛṣabha­deva’s earliest previous birth was as a wealthy merchant named Dhana. Dhana set out on a trading expedition to Vasantapura with a large retinue and offered hospitality to the wandering monk Dharmaghosa and his disciples. He learned from the monk about the ascetic code—only food unprepared for ascetics and water purified with cloth could be accepted—and he provided daily alms for the monks. In his second birth he was a king named Mahābala who performed great sacrifices but renounced his wealth and became an ascetic. Subsequent incarnations included Lalitaṅga, Vajrajaṅgha and Vijaya; in each life he exhibited virtue, generosity and restraint. As Dhanna, he became a hermit who taught others; as Nandibala he undertook severe austerities and developed clairvoyance. In another birth he was a strongman who used his strength only to protect others. Each of these births demonstrates progress along the spiritual path: the protagonist gradually renounces worldly attachments, performs meritorious deeds and cultivates right knowledge. The article also compares versions of the stories in different texts, noting variations in details such as the names of characters and moral emphases. The final birth is as Ṛṣabha­deva, son of Nābhi­rāja and Marudevī, who achieves omniscience and establishes the tirtha for the present cycle.