Question

Match List I (Tirthankaras) with List II (Their Birthplaces):
 

List I		List II
A.	Rishabhdev	I.	Champapuri
B.	Vasupujya	II.	Shauripuri
C.	Parshvanatha	III.	Ayodhya
D.	Neminath	IV.	Banaras

 

Correct Matching:

• A → III (Ayodhya)
• B → I (Champapuri)
• C → IV (Banaras)
• D → II (Shauripuri)

Answer: A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

• A. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
• B. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
• C. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
• D. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II

Hint:

To remember birthplaces: Rishabhdev and Ayodhya are always "Firsts." Parshvanath is from Kashi (Banaras). Neminath is linked to the Yadavs (Shauripuri). Vasupujya is the "Champ" of Champapuri.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The life of a Tirthankara is divided into five auspicious events called Kalyanakas. The first two events—Conception (Garbha) and Birth (Janma)—take place at specific historical locations in ancient India. Every Tirthankara is associated with a specific city that becomes a major pilgrimage site (Kshetra) for the Jain community.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In Jain hagiography, the birthplaces of the twenty-four Tirthankaras are documented with great precision. Let us analyze the matches for the four Tirthankaras mentioned in the question:

1. Rishabhdev (A): Also known as Adinath, he is the first Tirthankara of the current cycle of time. He was born in the legendary city of Ayodhya (III). Ayodhya is considered the first city of human civilization in Jain cosmology, where Rishabhdev was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevi. It is a highly sacred site for both Jains and Hindus.

2. Vasupujya (B): He is the 12th Tirthankara. He is unique because he is one of the few Tirthankaras who remained a celibate throughout his life. He was born in Champapuri (I), Bihar. Interestingly, Champapuri is also the place where he attained all five of his Kalyanakas, including his final liberation (Nirvana), making it a Pancha-Kalyanaka Kshetra.

3. Parshvanatha (C): The 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, is a historically recognized figure who lived approximately 250 years before Lord Mahavira. He was born in the ancient city of Kashi, modern-day Banaras (IV) or Varanasi. His father was King Ashvasena and his mother was Queen Vama. The Bhelupur area in Varanasi is specifically worshipped as his birthplace.

4. Neminath (D): The 22nd Tirthankara is famously known as the cousin of Lord Krishna. He was born in the Yadu dynasty in the city of Shauripuri (II) (near Bateshwar in Uttar Pradesh). Later in his life, he renounced the world on the day of his wedding and attained liberation on Mount Girnar in Gujarat.

Therefore, the correct mapping is A-III, B-I, C-IV, and D-II. This corresponds to the traditional accounts preserved in the Jain Puranas and Caritras.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Rishabhdev is associated with Ayodhya, Vasupujya with Champapuri, Parshvanatha with Banaras, and Neminath with Shauripuri.