Chandraprabha


In Jainism, Chandraprabha was the eighth Tirthankara of Avasarpini. Chandraprabhu 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, i.e. soul at its purest form or a liberated soul.

Jain biography

Life before renunciation

Chandraprabha was the eighth Jain Tīrthankara of the present age. He was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri, Varanasi on 12th day month Pausa in the Ikshvaku clan. Nine months before the birth of Chandraprabha, Queen Lakshmana Devi dreamt the sixteen most auspicious dreams. Chandraprabha spent 2 lakh pūrva as youth and ruled His kingdom for 6 lakh pūrva and 24 pūrvāṇga. During his rule, Chandraprabhu was apathetic towards the ordinary delights and princely grandeur.

Renunciation

His life to renounced his worldly life, soon after his ascension to throne and after 3 months he obtained Kevala Jnana while mediating under Naga tree. After a many years of spreading his knowledge, he is said to have attained nirvana at Sammed Shikharji on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Bhadradha.

Disciples

According to Jain texts Vaidarbha Svami was the leader of the Chandraprabha disciples.

Adoration

Svayambhūstotra by Acharya Samantabhadra is the adoration of twenty-four Tīrthankaras. Its five slokas are dedicated to Tīrthankara Chandraprabha.
Chandraprabha is associated with crescent moon emblem, Naga tree, Vijya or Syama & Vijya Yaksha and Jwalamalini & Bhrikuti Yakshi.

Iconography

Chandraprabha is usually depicted in a lotus or kayotsarga posture, with a crescent moon symbol beneath him; each tīrthankara has a distinct emblem, which allows worshippers to distinguish similar idols. Like all tirthankaras, he is depicted with a Shrivatsa and downcast eyes.
The earliest known sculpture of Chandraprabha was installed by Maharajadhiraja Ramagupta of Gupta dynasty. 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.
;Colossal statue

Main temples