Chandraprabha

Chandraprabha was the eighth Jain Tīrthankara of the present age (avasarpini).[2] He was born to King Mahasena and Queen Lakshmana Devi at Chandrapuri,[3] Varanasi on 12th day month Pausa in the Ikshvaku clan.[4][2][5][6] Nine months before the birth of Chandraprabha, Queen Lakshmana Devi dreamt the sixteen most auspicious dreams.[7] Mahasena named Tirthankar Chandraprabha because of his complexion was white as moon. According to Uttarapurana, Indra named him Chandraprabha because at his birth the earth and night-lotus were blossomed.[5]

Chandraprabha spent 2${\displaystyle {\tfrac {1}{2}}}$ lakh pūrva as youth (kumāra kāla) and ruled His kingdom for 6${\displaystyle {\tfrac {1}{2}}}$ lakh pūrva and 24 pūrvāṇga (rājya kāla). During his rule, Chandraprabhu was apathetic towards the ordinary delights and princely grandeur.[8]

He decided to renounced his worldly life, soon after his ascension to throne and after 3 months he obtained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) while mediating under Naga tree.[5]

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 faalgun.[7][note 1]

The yaksha and yakshi of Shantinatha are Śyāma and Jvālāmālinī according to Digambara tradition and Vijaya and Bhṛkuṭi according to Śvētāmbara tradition.[5]

According to Digambara Vaidarbha Svami and Varuṉā were the chief Ganadhara and Aryika of the Chandraprabha disciples and Dinna and Vāruṇī according to Śvētāmbara.[5][8]

Jinastotrāņi is a collection of hymn dedicated to Chandraprabha along with Munisuvrata, Neminatha, Shantinatha, Mahavira, Parshvanatha and Rishabhanatha.[11]

Svayambhūstotra by Acharya Samantabhadra is the adoration of twenty-four Tīrthankaras. Its five slokas (aphorisms) are dedicated to Tīrthankara Chandraprabha.[12]

With complexation bright as the rays of the moon you had the radiated knowledge like another moon. You are worshiped by eminent beings; you are the Lord of learned ascetic; and had conquered all your karmas and internal passion. I bow to you, O Lord Chandraprabha, the processor of moonlike splendour.

— Svayambhūstotra (8-1-36)[13]

Chandraprabha is associated with crescent moon emblem, Naga tree, Vijya or Śyāma (Dig.) & Vijya (Svet.) Yaksha and Jwalamalini (Dig.) & Bhṛkuṭi (Svet.) Yakshi.[14][5][15]

Chandraprabha-charitra composed by Haribhadra is an adoration to Chandraprabha.[16] Chandraprabha is mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures.[17]

Chandraprabha is usually depicted in a lotus or kayotsarga posture, with a crescent moon symbol beneath him;[5] each tīrthankara has a distinct emblem, which allows worshippers to distinguish similar idols.[18] Like all tirthankaras, he is depicted with a Shrivatsa[note 2] and downcast eyes.[21]

The earliest known sculpture of Chandraprabha was installed by Maharajadhiraja Ramagupta of Gupta dynasty in 4th century CE. 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.[22]

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  Idol at Jain temple, Lakkundi
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  Idol at Saavira Kambada Basadi
• 
  The famous idol of Chandraprabhu at Tijara
• 
  Chandraprabha temple inside Jaisalmer Fort

Guru mandir in Mandaragiri houses a 21 feet (6.4 m) monolithic statue of Chandraprabha.[23][24]

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  21 feet (6.4 m) statue at Mandaragiri Hill, Tumkur, Karnataka
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  15.25 feet (4.65 m) statue at Chandragiri Vatika, Tijara
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  15 feet (4.6 m) statue at Sonagiri

Saavira Kambada Basadi also known as "The 1000 Pillars Temple"

Various Jain temple complexes across India feature him, and these are important pilgrimage sites in Jainism. Sonagiri, also known as Laghu Sammed Shikhar is a Siddha-Kṣetra,[25][26] is considered one of the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site).[27] The mulnayak is a 3 metres (9.8 ft) rock cut image of Chandraprabhu dating back to the 5th to 6th century.[28] There are a total of 103 temples with 77 on hill and 26 in village.[29][30]

Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillared Temple ) in Moodabidri (Jain Kashi[31]), built in 1430 CE, is considered an architectural wonder and is one of the most important Jain centers in Karnataka.[32][33][34] Vijayamangalam Jain temple was built in c. 678 C.E. by King Konguvelir of Velir dynasty.[35][36]

Important Chandraprabha temple complexes include: Tijara Jain temple, Jainimedu Jain temple, Chandravati, Kumbakonam Jain Temple, Mandaragiri, Prabhas Patan, Lunwa Jain temple, Chandranatha basadi Dharmasthala, and Chandraprabha temple, Pavagadh

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  Vijayamangalam Jain temple built in 678 C.E.
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  Chandraprabhu temple, Jaisalmer Fort
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  Sonagiri Jain Tirth
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  Tijara Jain temple