Who was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism?

Parshvanatha (Parshva) was the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism, who lived before Mahavira.

About Parshvanatha:

• He is believed to have been a historical person, who lived around the 9th or 8th century BCE, about 250 years before Mahavira.
• According to Jain tradition, he was a prince of Varanasi (Kashi), the son of King Ashvasena and Queen Vama.
• He renounced the world at the age of 30.
• He attained kevala jnana after meditation, and preached for about 70 years.
• He attained nirvana at the age of 100, on the Sammed Shikhar hill (Parasnath hill) in present-day Jharkhand, which is named after him.
• His symbol (emblem) is a snake; he is usually shown with a canopy of a many-headed cobra over his head, because, according to legend, the serpent king Dharanendra protected him during a storm caused by a demon.

His teachings:

• He taught four vows ("Chaturyama"): non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing and non-possession.
• Mahavira built upon his teachings.
• Mahavira's parents are said to have been followers of Parshvanatha.
• Followers of Parshvanatha wore clothes, according to Shvetambara tradition.

Important Tirthankaras:

• 1st: Rishabhanatha (symbol: bull).
• 16th: Shantinatha (symbol: deer).
• 19th: Mallinatha (symbol: water pot).
• 22nd: Neminatha (Arishtanemi) (symbol: conch); according to tradition, he was a cousin of Krishna.
• 23rd: Parshvanatha (symbol: snake).
• 24th: Mahavira (symbol: lion).

Places associated with Parshvanatha:

• Varanasi: his birthplace, with the Bhelupur Jain temple.
• Sammed Shikhar (Parasnath hill), Giridih district, Jharkhand: the place of his nirvana and the most sacred pilgrimage place for Jains.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Neminatha was the 22nd Tirthankara.
• ✗Mallinatha was the 19th Tirthankara.
• ✗Shantinatha was the 16th Tirthankara.