Venerated Lord Neminath Bhagwan (vegetarian): 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism, Part 2 of 2

In His ninth incarnation, Lord Neminath Bhagwan (vegetarian) attained liberation from the cycle of birth and death and became free from all forms of suffering and attachment. He had reached the highest state of consciousness, gaining the ability to teach and guide others on the path of spiritual liberation. He is also known by other names, such as Aristanemi, Arishtanemi, and Nemishvar.

Princess Rajimati was Princess Yashomati in her previous life, and had been Lord Neminath’s spouse in their past eight incarnations. On the day of their wedding, during the procession to the bride’s village, Prince Arishtanemi, riding on a royal elephant, heard the distressed cries of animal-people. Compassion surged within Him, and He inquired about the source of these cries. His charioteer explained that the animal-folks, including chicken-, goat-, cow-, deer-individuals, and more, were crying out as they faced slaughter, in preparation for the thousands of wedding attendees. Prince Arishtanemi was tremendously galvanized. The Prince said, “If I agree to be the cause of the butchering of so many living beings, my life and the one to come will be filled with pain and misery. So, I will not marry. Immediately arrange for the release of all these creatures.”

Prince Arishtanemi realized how everything was short-lived and the futility of worldly pleasures. He told the elders of His clan, “As these animals were prisoners in the cages, we all are prisoners in cages of karma which are much stronger than these fences. See the feeling of joy evident in the animals released from the cages. Know that happiness is in freedom, not in bondage. I want to tread the path of breaking this bondage of karma and embrace eternal bliss. Please do not stop me.” Prince Arishtanemi wanted to be free from the bondage of birth and death. Princess Rajimati supported His decision, and she, too, renounced her worldly life and became a nun.

Prince Arishtanemi meditated under an Ashoka tree and renounced His royal life to devote Himself completely to spiritual liberation. He is believed to have attained enlightenment and omniscience on the 54th or 56th day of His ascetic practice and meditation. He achieved a fathomless understanding of the nature of the soul and the Universe as well as laws of karma, and He became free from all forms of ignorance, attachment, and suffering. He also obtained the knowledge of everything about the past, present, and future.