Lord Ajitnath, the 2nd Tirthankar

 

Ajitnath is the 2nd Jain tirthankara of the present avasarpini time cycle. His complexion is golden and symbol is elephant.  The chaitys tree under which he got omniscience is shala.

Ajitnath was born in Ayodhya in Ikshvaku clan. His father was king Jitashatru and mother Vijaya Devi. Ajitnath was born on the eighth day of the bright moon in the month of Magh when moon was in rohini constellation. The meaning of the name Ajit is that who has won the worldly vices e.g., anger, pride, deceit, greed etc. Even the names of his parents signify the word ‘victory’.   From his early age, Ajit was not inclined to the normal princely life. After his father took mendicancy, Ajit became the king. But as soon as his cousin brother Sagara became grown up, Ajit handed over the whole kingdom to Sagara and himself became an ascetic. He practiced meditation and penance in deep forest where no human can enter. All the animals of that forest used to sit around him without making any disturbance. In the samavarsana also, various animals, serpents, riding animals were found seated harmoniously in his congregation. The omniscience was attained after enduring tough trials with severe penance and numerous vows for twelve long years. The day of omniscience was on the eleventh day of the bright moon in the month of Pausa under Shala tree.  He travelled extensively preaching the religion to common people. Many people be ame his follower and accepted mendicancy.He attained nirvana on the fifth day of the bright moon in the month of Chaitra at Sammed Shikhar. His body was golden in color and his symbol was elephant.

The Sasandev of Ajitnath was a yaksha, named Mahayaksha. The Sasan devi was goddess Ajitabala who were the messenger deities who remained with him during rest of his life.