Jina 22

Summary

This short piece is a poetic meditation titled “Jina 22,” referring to the twenty‑second Tirthankara, Neminatha. Composed by Leona Smith Kremser, the poem adopts a contemplative and devotional tone. It evokes the act of gently returning home along a path leading to a black stone image of the Jina. The speaker reflects on the austerity of the Tirthankara, noting that he is “beyond a need of garment,” which alludes to the Digambara practice of nudity as a symbol of complete renunciation. Yet the poem emphasises that the Jina is “alive” not as a cosmic seed or remote abstraction but as living breath sensed at his holy feet. The image of breathing is juxtaposed with the breathing of a Gujara lamb, linking the transcendental Jina with a humble rural creature. This connection underscores a core Jain tenet: all living beings, from the highest enlightened souls to the simplest animals, share the same life‑force and deserve reverence. The poem’s simplicity, with its short lines and sparse punctuation, reinforces the quiet, introspective mood. There is no explicit narrative; instead, the reader is invited to dwell on the sensory impression of walking a sacred path, touching stone, feeling the breath, and recognising the Jina’s presence in all life. By choosing a lamb—a gentle, non‑violent animal—Kremser subtly recalls the legend of Neminatha, who renounced his marriage upon hearing the wailing of animals destined for slaughter. The poem therefore encapsulates the Jaina ideal of compassion and non‑harm. It also hints at the idea that the true Jina resides not in temple icons but in the living practice of ahimsa (non‑violence). Through minimal imagery, deliberate ellipses and soft cadence, the poem invites readers to internalise the Jina’s presence and experience a moment of spiritual intimacy. The very title, “Jina 22,” connects modern poetic expression with the traditional enumeration of Tirthankaras, signalling continuity with the Jaina scriptural heritage while employing contemporary language.