Chandraprabha (English: Lord of Moon[1]) or Chandranatha is the eighth TirthankaraofTīrthaṅkaraofJainism in the present age (Avasarpini). According to traditional accounts, he was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri to the Ikshvaku dynasty. According to Jain texts, his birth-date was the twelfth day of the Posh Krishna month of the Indian calendar. He is said to have become a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.
Chandraprabha was the eighth Jain Tīrthankara of the present age (avasarpini).[2] He was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri,[3]Varanasi on 12th day month Pausa in the Ikshvaku clan.[4][2][5][6] Nine months before the birth of Chandraprabha, Queen Lakshmana Devi dreamt the sixteen most auspicious dreams.[7] Mahasena named Tirthankar Chandraprabha because of his complexion was white as moon. According to Uttarapurana, Indra named him Chandraprabha because at his birth the earth and night-lotus were blossomed.[5]
Chandraprabha spent 2 lakh pūrva as youth (kumāra kāla) and ruled His kingdom for 6 lakh pūrva and 24 pūrvāṇga (rājya kāla). During his rule, Chandraprabhu was apathetic towards the ordinary delights and princely grandeur.[8]
He decided to renounced his worldly life, soon after his ascension to throne and after 3 months he obtained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) while mediating under Naga tree.[5]
After a many years of spreading his knowledge, he is said to have attained nirvanaatSammed Shikharji on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of faalgun.[7][note 1]
According to DigambaraVaidarbha Svami and Varuṉā were the chief Ganadhara and Aryika of the Chandraprabha disciples and Dinna and Vāruṇī according to Śvētāmbara.[5][8]
Jinastotrāņi is a collection of hymn dedicated to Chandraprabha along with Munisuvrata, Neminatha, Shantinatha, Mahavira, Parshvanatha and Rishabhanatha.[11]
SvayambhūstotrabyAcharya Samantabhadra is the adoration of twenty-four Tīrthankaras. Its five slokas (aphorisms) are dedicated to Tīrthankara Chandraprabha.[12]
With complexation bright as the rays of the moon you had the radiated knowledge like another moon. You are worshiped by eminent beings; you are the Lord of learned ascetic; and had conquered all your karmas and internal passion. I bow to you, O Lord Chandraprabha, the processor of moonlike splendour.
Chandraprabha is usually depicted in a lotus or kayotsarga posture, with a crescent moon symbol beneath him;[5] each tīrthankara has a distinct emblem, which allows worshippers to distinguish similar idols.[18] Like all tirthankaras, he is depicted with a Shrivatsa[note 2] and downcast eyes.[21]
The earliest known sculpture of Chandraprabha was installed by MaharajadhirajaRamaguptaofGupta dynasty in 4th century CE. Chandraprabha has been popular amongst Jain everywhere in India. The iconography of Chandraprabha is particularly popular in Eastern India in Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. Sculptures of Chandraprabha were also popular in Jain temples, Deogarh, Khajuraho Jain temples and Sonagiri.[22]
Various Jain temple complexes across India feature him, and these are important pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Sonagiri, also known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar is a Siddha-Kṣetra,[25][26] is considered one of the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site).[27] The mulnayak is a 3 metres (9.8 ft) rock cut image of Chandraprabhu dating back to the 5th to 6th century.[28] There are a total of 103 temples with 77 on hill and 26 in village.[29][30]
^Some texts refer to the place as Mount Sammeta.[9] This place is revered in Jainism because 20 out of 24 Jinas died here.[10]
^A special symbol that marks the chest of a Tirthankara. The yoga pose is very common in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Each tradition has had a distinctive auspicious chest mark that allows devotees to identify a meditating statue to symbolic icon for their theology. There are several srivasta found in ancient and medieval Jain art works, and these are not found on Buddhist or Hindu art works.[19][20]
Jacobi, Hermann (1964), Max Muller (ed.), Jain Sūtras (Translation), The Sacred Books of the East Series, vol. XXII, Motilal Banarsidass (Original: Oxford University Press)
