Question

What is the date of the Birth Auspiciousness (Janma-Kalyanaka) of Lord Parshvanatha?

• A. Ashwin Shukla Dashami
• B. Paush Krishna Ekadashi
• C. Magha Krishna Ekadashi
• D. Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi

Hint:

Parshvanatha is often associated with the month of Paush. Both his birth and renunciation share the same lunar date (Ekadashi).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lord Parshvanatha is the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism and lived approximately 250 years before Lord Mahavira. His life is marked by five auspicious events (Kalyanakas). The Janma-Kalyanaka is the day he was born in Varanasi to King Ashvasena and Queen Vama.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The dates of Tirthankara kalyanakas are meticulously recorded in the Jain calendar (Panchang). For Lord Parshvanatha:
1. Conception (Garbha): Chaitra Krishna Chaturthi.
2. Birth (Janma): Paush Krishna Ekadashi. On this day, Indra takes the baby to Mount Meru for the Janmabhisheka (divine birth-bath).
3. Renunciation (Diksha): Paush Krishna Ekadashi (usually the same day as birth).
4. Omniscience (Kevala Jnana): Chaitra Krishna Chaturthi.
5. Liberation (Nirvana): Shravana Shukla Saptami (celebrated as Moksha Saptami).
The date Paush Krishna Ekadashi (the 11th day of the dark half of the month of Paush) is widely celebrated by Jains with fasting and special prayers (Puja) dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha. It is a day where devotees reflect on his teachings of Non-violence and Non-attachment.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The Birth Kalyanaka of Lord Parshvanatha falls on Paush Krishna Ekadashi.