Rishabhanatha
Rishabhanatha (Sanskrit, lit. "bull lord") (also Ṛṣabhadeva) is said to be the first Tirthankara (Teaching God) of the present half cycle of time. The word Tīrthankara signifies the founder of a tirtha which means a fordable passage across a sea. The Tirthankara show the 'fordable path' across the sea of interminable births and deaths (saṃsāra). Rishabhanatha is also known as Ādinātha which translates into "First (Adi) Lord (nātha)".
Overview
Jain cosmology divides Worldly Time cycle into two halves (avasarpiṇī and utsarpiṇī) with six aras (spokes) in each half. Twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras grace this part of the universe in duşamā-suşamā (read as dukhmā-sukhmā) ara of both halves. The present half cycle (avasarpiṇī) being a special case, Rishabhanatha , the first tīrthaṅkara was born at the end of the third period (suṣama-duṣamā) itself. According to Jain texts, he was born in the age when there was happiness all around with no work for men to do. Gradually as the cycle moved, and wish-fulfilling trees disappeared, people rushed to their King for help. Rishabhanatha is then said to have taught the men six main professions. These were (1) Asi (swordsmanship for protection), (2) Masi (writing skills), (3) Krishi (agriculture), (4) Vidya (knowledge), (5) Vanijya (trade and commerce) and (6) Shilp (crafts). In other words, he is credited with introducing karma-bhumi (the age of action) by teaching these professions to the householders for livelihood. The institution of marriage came into existence after he married to set an example for other humans to follow. In total, Rishabhanatha is said to have taught seventy-two sciences which includes arithmetic, the plastic and visual arts, the art of lovemaking, singing and dancing. Jaina chronology places the date of Rishabhanatha at an almost immesaurable antiquity in the past.
