Parshvanatha

Parshvanatha is the 23rd Tirthankara and one of two whose historical existence is supported by independent evidence (the other being Mahavir). Most scholars place his life in the 9th–8th century BCE, predating Mahavir by approximately 250 years.

He was born to King Ashvasena and Queen Vama of Varanasi. As a young prince, he is said to have witnessed an ascetic (Kamatha) performing severe austerities involving fire, and to have noticed two snakes trapped in a piece of wood about to be burned. Parshvanatha's compassion for the snakes, and his rebuke of the ascetic for unconscious harm, led to a famous incident in which the snakes were rescued — and reborn as the deities Dharanendra (the cobra-king) and Padmavati (his consort), who would later protect Parshvanatha in his ascetic life.

The most famous iconographic detail of Parshvanatha — the seven-hooded cobra that arches protectively over his head in nearly every image — comes from this connection. When Parshvanatha later sat in deep meditation and a malicious being attempted to disturb him with floods, Dharanendra and Padmavati appeared and shielded him. The cobra-hood, in Jain art, is the visible memory of this protection.

Parshvanatha taught the four vows (chaturyāma): non-violence, truth, non-stealing, and non-attachment. Mahavir, 250 years later, added the fifth vow — brahmacarya (celibacy) — which had been implicit in Parshvanatha's teaching but became explicit in Mahavir's formulation.

Parshvanatha attained mokṣa at Mount Sammed Shikhar (modern Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand) — which now bears his name in popular usage.

Among the 24 Tirthankaras, Parshvanatha is exceptionally venerated. The serpent-hood is the most recognizable icon in all of Jain art.