Enlighten Up! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rishabhanatha

As per Jain literature, Rishabhanatha was born to King Nabhi and Queen Narudevi in Ayodhya, India. He developed a desire for renunciation after the death of one of the dancers of Indra, the king of the Gods in Hinduism. The legend goes that he fasted for an entire year, and the day he broke his fast is celebrated by Jains as Akshaya Tritiya (also the birthday of Lord Parashurama in Hinduism). Rishabhanatha attained moksha (salvation) on Mount Asthapada in the Kailash range.

The text 'Adi Purana' by Jinasena is an account of his life.

Answer: Ajitanatha

As per Jain literature, Ajitanatha was born in Ayodhya to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya. In his lifetime, he became a 'siddha', a soul who has got liberated from the cycle of karma. The text 'Ajitha Purana' by Ranna tells his life story. His younger brother was Sagara, a character who features in both Hindu and Jain literature. Ajitanatha attained moksha (salvation) on the fifth day of the waxing phase of the lunar month of Chaitra (Hindu calendar), on the Shikharji mountain peak, in Jharkhand, India.

Answer: Sambhavanatha

As per Jain literature, Sambhavanatha was born to King Jitari and Queen Susena at Shravasti, in modern-day Uttar Pradesh in India. His birth date was the fourteenth day of the waxing phase of the Margashirsha lunar month in the Hindu Calendar. Like his predecessor Ajitanatha, Sambhavanatha attained moksha (salvation) on the peak of Shikharji, in Jharkhand, India, by destroying all karma.

The sal tree is also considered to be his emblem.

Answer: Abhinandananatha

Abhinandananatha is also known as Abhinandana Swami. As per Jain literature, he was born to King Sanvara and Queen Siddhartha in Ayodhya, India. His birth date was the second day of the waxing phase of the Magha lunar month in the Hindu Calendar. He is said to have attained omniscience (kevala jnana) under a priyangu tree (Aglaia elaeagnoidea).

Answer: Sumatinatha

As per Jain literature, Sumatinatha was born into a Kshatriya (warrior) family in Ayodhya, India. His parents were King Meghaprabha and Queen Sumangala. His birth date was the eight day of the waxing phase of the Vaisakha lunar month. The Bhandasar Jain Temple, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, is an example of a Jain temple particularly dedicated to Lord Sumatinatha.

Answer: Padmaprabha

As per Jain literature, Padmaprabha was born to King Shridhar and Queen Susimadevi, in present-day Kausambi, in Uttar Pradesh, India. His birth date was the twelfth day of the waning phase of the Kartika lunar month in the Hindu Calendar. The Padampura Jain Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and the Mahudi Jain Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat are temples dedicated to him.

He attained omniscience under a banyan tree on the full moon day of Chaitra month, and attained moksha (salvation) on the eleventh day of the waning phase of Margashirsha month.

Answer: Suparshvanatha

As per Jain literature, Suparshvanatha was born to King Pratistha and Queen Prithvi in Varanasi, India. His birth date is believed to be the twelfth day of the waxing phase of the Jyeshtha lunar month. The sirisa tree (Albizia lebbeck) is another emblem of Suparshvanatha.

He is believed to have attained moksha (salvation) on the sixth day of the waning phase of the Phalguna lunar monthmonth, at Shikharji, in Jharkhand, India.

Answer: Chandraprabha

As per Jain literature, he was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana in Chandrapuri. His birth date was the twelfth day of the waning phase of the Pausha lunar month. The crescent moon is a prominent emblem of Chandraprabha, and he is often portrayed as meditating in a sitting position, with the crescent moon below him.

The Tijara Jain Temple, located in Tijara, Rajasthan, India, is a prominent Jain temple dedicated to Chandraprabha.

Answer: Pushpadanta

As per Jain literature, Pushpadanta was born in present-day Deoria in Uttar Pradesh in India. His parents were King Sugriva and Queen Rama, also known as Queen Supriya. His birth date was the fifth day of the waning phase of the Margashirsha lunar month.

The colour white is also associated with Pushpadanta. Like many of his predecessors, he attained moksha (salvation) on Shikharji mountain peak, in Jharkhand, India.

Answer: Shitalanatha

As per Jain literature, Shitalanatha was born on the twelfth day of the waning phase of the Magha lunar month. He was born to King Dradhratha and Queen Nanda at Bhaddilpur in India. Kalpavrikshas are divine wish-granting trees which appear throughout Hindu, Jain and Buddhist scriptures. The srivatsa symbol is another of Shitalanatha's emblems.