Shree Ajitnath Bhagwan – The Second Jain Tirthankara

Shree Ajitnath Bhagwan is the 2nd Tirthankara of the present cosmic cycle in Jainism. Revered for his unwavering discipline and spiritual brilliance, he guided countless beings towards liberation through the path of truth and non-attachment.

Birth and Childhood: A Divine Origin

He was born in the holy city of Ayodhya to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya Devi of the Ikshvaku Dynasty. His birth was celebrated on Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya, marked by divine signs and celestial blessings.

Queen Vijaya Devi saw 14 auspicious dreams before his birth, symbolizing his divine purpose. He had a golden complexion, and his emblem is the Elephant, signifying strength, wisdom, and peace.

Path to Renunciation

Despite being raised with royal privileges, Ajitnath Bhagwan was naturally detached from worldly pleasures. He perceived the impermanence of material existence early in life.

At the age of 30,000 years, he renounced his kingdom and chose the ascetic path. He took Diksha under a Shaal tree, accompanied by thousands of aspirants. Celestial beings celebrated the event with divine hymns and flower showers.

Spiritual Enlightenment

After one year of intense meditation and austerity, he attained Keval Jnana (omniscience). At that moment, he became free from all karmic bonds and began delivering Divya Dhvani — divine sermons that were understood by all beings.

He preached the core Jain principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Aparigraha (non-possession), and Anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints).

Moksha and Liberation

After fulfilling his spiritual mission and guiding innumerable souls, Ajitnath Bhagwan attained Moksha at Sammed Shikharji on Vaishakh Shukla Dwadashi. His soul ascended to Siddhashila, achieving eternal bliss and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Unheard & Hidden Spiritual Insights

• In his past life, he was King Vimalvahan — known for charity, restraint, and compassion.
• His divine guardians include Yaksha Ajit and Yakshini Sutara.
• He was the first Tirthankara to establish a large monastic order post-enlightenment.
• His idol is often shown in meditative posture, promoting serenity and strength.
• The Elephant symbol reflects mental control and spiritual grounding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What does "Ajitnath" mean?
It means “The Invincible Lord,” representing his victory over desires and karmic bondage.

2) Where did he attain Moksha?
He attained Moksha at Sammed Shikharji, the holiest Jain site.

3) What is his symbol and its significance?
The Elephant symbolizes immense wisdom, peace, and strength in spirituality.

4) What is unique about his teachings?
His emphasis on detachment combined with strong ethical conduct inspired future generations of monks and lay followers alike.