Mallinatha

For the poet and critic, see Mallinātha Sūri.

Mallinatha
19th Tirthankara
Sri Mallinatha Idol of Mallinatha in female form at Keshavrai Patan, Rajasthan
Venerated in	Jainism
Predecessor	Aranatha
Successor	Munisuvrata
Symbol	Kalasha
Height	25 dhanusha (75 meters)
Age	56,000
Color	Blue
Gender	Male (Digambara) Female (Shvetambara)
Genealogy
Born	Mithilapuri Jain Teerth, Mithila
Died	Sammed Shikhar
Parents	Kumbha (father) Prajnavati (mother)
Dynasty	Somavaṁśa—Ikṣvākuvaṁśa

Mallinatha (Prakrit Mallinātha, Devanagari: मल्लिनाथ, Sanskrit: मल्लिनाथः, 'Lord of jasmine or seat') was the 19th tīrthaṅkara "ford-maker" of the present avasarpiṇī age in Jainism.

In Jain history

File:Jain Universal History Diorama in Jain Museum Madhuban 20.jpg

A diorama in Jain Museum of Madhuban, Giridih depicting Mallinatha teaching six kings the futility of bodily beauty, as per Swetambara tradition.

File:Mallinath Tonk, Shikharji.jpg

Mallinath Tonk on Shikharji from where Mallinatha attained Nirvana

Jain texts indicate Mālliṇātha was born at Mithila into the Ikshvaku dynasty to King Kumbha and Queen Prajnavati. His height is mentioned as 25 dhanusha. Tīrthaṅkara Māllīnātha lived for over 56,000 years, out of which 54,800 years less six days, was with omniscience (Kevala Jnana). He is said to have lived for 55,000 years by other authors.

Mallinatha is believed to be a woman named Malli Devi by Shvetambara Jains while the Digambara sect believes all 24 tirthankara to be men including Māllīnātha. Digambara tradition believes a woman can reach to the 16th heaven and can attain liberation only being reborn as a man. Digambara tradition says Mallinatha was a son born in a royal family, and worships Mallinatha as a male. However, the Shvetambara tradition of Jainism states that Māllīnātha was female with a name Mallivati.

According to Jain beliefs, Mālliṇātha became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.

Mallinatha is said to have been born 1,000 crore less 6,584,000 years after his predecessor, Aranatha. His successor, Munisuvrata, is said to have been born 54 lakh years after him.

Literature

1. Jnatrdharmakathah gives the story of Lord Mallinath, which is said to be composed by Ganadhara Sudharmaswami.
2. Mallinathapurana was written by Nagachandra in 1105 CE.

Main temples

• Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple is a Jain temple in Mannargudi, an ancient town in the erstwhile Chola Empire of Tamil Nadu.
• Chaturmukha Basadi is a famous Jain temple located at Karkala in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Tirthankar Aranatha, Mallinath and Munisuvratnathswami.
• Sri Mallinath Jain Derasar, near Bhoyani, Viramgam Taluk, Gujarat.

• Chaturmukha Basadi
  Chaturmukha Basadi
• Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Temple
  Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Temple
• Mallinath Temple, Kosbad
  Mallinath Temple, Kosbad

See also

• God in Jainism
• Jainism and non-creationism