Lord Vimalanath, the 13th Tirthankar

 Lord Vimalanath is the thirteenth Jain tirthankara of the present avasarpini time cycle. His complexion is golden and symbol is boar. The chaitya tree under which he got omniscience is jambu.

In his previous incarnation, he was the king Padmasana in the city Mahapuri in East Videha. His mind was filled with the teachings of the Jinas. He always felt extreme disgust with his present existence. So, he decided to take initiation under guru Sarvagupta. By means of powerful sthanas, devotion to the Arhats etc., he acquired the body-making karma of a tirthakrt. After practicing severe penance for a long time, he died and became a powerful god in Sahasrara.

After completing his life in heaven, the soul descended into the womb of queen Shyama, wife of king Kritavarman. On the third day of the bright half of Magh, the moon being in Uttarbhadrapada constellation, Vimalanath was born. Because his mother looked brilliant (Vimala) while he was in the womb, his father decided the name of the new born as Vimalanath. When he became grown up, he got married and later on ruled the kingdom. Then time came, when Vimalanath decided to take initiation and became mendicant. After wandering for two years as ascetic, he arrived at the initiation garden where under the foot of the jambu tree, Vimalanath attained omniscience on the sixth day of the bright half of Pausa in the constellation Uttarbhadrapada.

In his samavasarana, Lord Vimalanath delivered a brilliant sermon on enlightenment. Souls who have attained enlightenment can follow the road to emancipation unhindered. Vimalanath visited many places and preached religion to general masses. Many audiences became his followers, some of them converted to monks and nuns. Knowing that his nirvana was near, Vimalanath went to Mt. Sammet with six thousand monks and began a fast. At the end of a month, the Master and the monks went to the imperishable abode.

In the congregation after omniscience arose a Yaksa named Sanmukha, who became the Lord’s male messenger deity. Likewise originated, Vidita, who became female messenger deity. These two attendants were always present with Lord Vimalanath for his convenience.