Bhagavan Dharma Nath(Fifteenth Jain Tirthankara)
(श्रीधर्मनाथ)

Lord Dharmanath was the fifteenth Tirthankar of the present age (Avasarpini). According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma.

Symbol - Vajra

Life of Lord Dharam Nath

Acharya Samantabhadra of the second centuary A.D. praised Tirthankara Dharamanatha as:


Thou art sinless maker of Dharma’s bridge, saints call Thee Dharma by name,
In flames of meditation burnt karma, acquiring stable bliss, a benefactor, ye became.

O Lord like the full clear moon, surrounded by the stars in the sky (In preaching hall)
Thou art surrounded by men celestial beings, Gandharas quite high.

Adorned with preaching hall’s dignity even then from Thy body Thou art indifferent.
Preaches path of liberation for all, but damn care for result of religious rule a percent.

Pious soul, with intention of doing work, are not deeds of body speech, thought. Thy actions are with minute observation, Patient Lord ! they are beyond thought.

For Thou hast crossed human nature, among gods art worship able God,
Inspire us for Salvation, O Lord Jinendra Dharma, the supreme God !

Bhagwan Dharmanatha, the 15th Tirthankara of the jain tradition , was born in Ratanapuri (now Raunahi in Faizabad of U.P. near Ayodhya). The name of his mother was Suvrata and that of his father was Bhanu Nripa who belonged to Kasyapa gotra and the Iksnvaka line of ancient Indian kings. Bhanu Nripa was himself was a great king. His wife, queen Suvrata, was very pious lady and was celebrated for the numerous acts of piety which she performed, particularly during her pregnancy. It is why the child she gave birth to, was named as Dharmanatha ( the Lord of Piety). Moreover, it has been predicated that newborn would one day become a great savior and would by his relentless preaching show to the suffering humanity the path to salvation.
There were great rejoicing at his birth and when he became of age he ascended the throne of his father and ruled over his subjects with law and piety. All the time, however, his mind was fixed on the day when he would renounce the world and devote himself to the fulfillment of his mission as a Tirthankara. The day of the great renunciation came and Dharmanatha, giving up every worldly possession and attachment, went to the nearest forest named Salvana, and took vows of the order. He practiced severest austerities, annihilated the karmic forces, attained kaivalya and became the Arhanta. Then he proceeded on his tour of wandering, preaching to the suffering humanity and gospel of Ahimsa and showing it, not only by precept, but by actual example, the true path of salvation. Thus this great benefactor of all living being fully justified by his name. The lord of Piety like the Shramana thirthankars who went before him and those who came after him. Lord Dhrmanatha hammered into the minds of his contemporaries the truths "Live and let Live"; ' Do unto others what you would them do unto you'; ' Be truthful in thought, word and deed; 'Do not covet that which, does not belong to you'; ' keep your senses and passion under control'; 'Try to realize the value of renunciation, sacrifice and possessionlessness '; and 'make Ahimsa the true way of life'.
In the end this Tirthankara attained Nirvana at Sudattavarta-kuta of mount Sammedachala. There is a shrine at the top of this peak which mark the spot of Nirvana.

Other details of Lord Dharma Naths Life

Famous Dharmanath Temples

Kavi Temple, Jambusar, Dist. Bharuch, Gujrat
Tulapatti Jain Temple, Kolkatta
Dharmanath Jain Temple, Mattancherry, Kochi (colonial name Cochin), Kerala
Hathee Singh Temple, Ahmedabad, Gujrat