Chandraprabha

Chandraprabha () or Chandranatha is the eighth Tirthankara of of Jainism in the present age (). According to traditional accounts, he was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri to the Ikshvaku dynasty. According to Jain texts, his birth-date was the twelfth day of the Posh Krishna month of the Indian calendar. He is said to have become a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.

Jain biography

Chandraprabha was the eighth Jain '' Tīrthankara'' of the present age ('' avasarpini''). He was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri, Varanasi on 12th day month Pausa in the Ikshvaku clan. Nine months before the birth of ''Chandraprabha'', Queen ''Lakshmana Devi '' dreamt the sixteen most auspicious dreams. Mahasena named Tirthankar Chandraprabha because of his complexion was white as moon. According to Uttarapurana, Indra named him Chandraprabha because at his birth the earth and night-lotus were blossomed.

Chandraprabha spent 2$\tfrac$ lakh ''pūrva'' as youth (''kumāra kāla'') and ruled His kingdom for 6$\tfrac$ lakh ''pūrva'' and 24 ''pūrvāṇga'' (''rājya kāla''). During his rule, Chandraprabhu was apathetic towards the ordinary delights and princely grandeur.

He decided to renounced his worldly life, soon after his ascension to throne and after 3 months he obtained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) while mediating under '' Naga tree''.

After a many years of spreading his knowledge, he is said to have attained nirvana at Sammed Shikharji on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of ''faalgun''.

The ''yaksha'' and ''yakshi'' of Shantinatha are ''Śyāma'' and ''Jvālāmālinī'' according to Digambara tradition and ''Vijaya'' and ''Bhṛkuṭi'' according to Śvētāmbara tradition.

According to Digambara ''Vaidarbha Svami'' and ''Varuṉā'' were the chief ''Ganadhara'' and ''Aryika'' of the Chandraprabha disciples and ''Dinna'' and ''Vāruṇī'' according to Śvētāmbara.

Legacy

Worship

''Jinastotrāņi'' is a collection of hymn dedicated to Chandraprabha along with Munisuvrata, Neminatha, Shantinatha, Mahavira, Parshvanatha and Rishabhanatha.

''Svayambhūstotra'' by ''Acharya Samantabhadra'' is the adoration of twenty-four ''Tīrthankaras''. Its five slokas (aphorisms) are dedicated to ''Tīrthankara Chandraprabha''.

Chandraprabha is associated with crescent moon emblem, Naga tree, Vijya or Śyāma (Dig.) & Vijya (Svet.) Yaksha and Jwalamalini (Dig.) & Bhṛkuṭi (Svet.) Yakshi.

In literature

''Chandraprabha-charitra'' composed by Haribhadra is an adoration to Chandraprabha. Chandraprabha is mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures.

Iconography

Chandraprabha is usually depicted in a lotus or kayotsarga posture, with a crescent moon symbol beneath him; each ''tīrthankara'' has a distinct emblem, which allows worshippers to distinguish similar idols. Like all ''tirthankaras'', he is depicted with a ''Shrivatsa'' and downcast eyes.

The earliest known sculpture of Chandraprabha was installed by Maharajadhiraja Ramagupta of Gupta dynasty in 4th century CE. Chandraprabha has been popular amongst Jain everywhere in India. The iconography of Chandraprabha is particularly popular in Eastern India in Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Sculptures of Chandraprabha were also popular in Jain temples, Deogarh, Khajuraho Jain temples and Sonagiri.

File:Door jamb and lintel decoration, and Tirthankara image in the sanctum at the Jain temple at Lakkundi.jpg, Idol at Jain temple, Lakkundi
File:Mahavir-Jain-Fame-1000-Pillar-Temple- Moodbidri.JPG, Idol at Saavira Kambada Basadi
File:Tijara Jain temple - Main Idol (3) (cropped).jpg, The famous idol of Chandraprabhu at Tijara

Colossal statue

Guru mandir in Mandaragiri houses a monolithic statue of Chandraprabha.

File:Lord Chandranatha Thirthankara statue.jpg, statue at Mandaragiri Hill, Tumkur, Karnataka
File:Chandaragiri Vatika.jpg, statue at Chandragiri Vatika, Tijara
File:Chandraprabh.jpg, statue at Sonagiri

Main temples

Various Jain temple complexes across India feature him, and these are important pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Sonagiri, also known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar is a '' Siddha-Kṣetra'', is considered one of the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site). The mulnayak is a rock cut image of Chandraprabhu dating back to the 5th to 6th century. There are a total of 103 temples with 77 on hill and 26 in village.

Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillared Temple ) in Moodabidri (Jain Kashi), built in 1430 CE, is considered an architectural wonder and is one of the most important Jain centers in Karnataka. Vijayamangalam Jain temple was built in by King Konguvelir of Velir dynasty.

Important Chandraprabha temple complexes include: Tijara Jain temple, Jainimedu Jain temple, Chandravati, Kumbakonam Jain Temple, Mandaragiri, Prabhas Patan, Lunwa Jain temple, Chandranatha basadi Dharmasthala, and Chandraprabha temple, Pavagadh

File:Jain temple, Mettupudur 2.jpg, Vijayamangalam Jain temple built in 678 C.E.
File:N-RJ-87 Fort including Ancient Temples Jaisalmer SolReyes20100917 332.JPG, Chandraprabhu temple, Jaisalmer Fort
File:Sonagiri.jpg, Sonagiri Jain Tirth
File:Tijara Jain Temple - Main(3).jpg, Tijara Jain temple

See also

* Arihant (Jainism)
* God in Jainism
* Jainism and non-creationism

Notes

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External links

Harvard Pluralism Project: Jainism

{{Authority control

Tirthankaras
Solar dynasty