Lord Mallinath, the 19th Tirthankara

 Mallinath is the nineteenth tirthankara of the present avasarpini time cycle according to Jainism. Mallinath is believed to be a woman named Malli Devi by Swetambar Jain sects, while Digambar Jain community worships Mallinath as male deity. Her complexion is blue and symbol is kalash (water jug). The chaitya tree under which she got omniscience is ashoka tree.

Mallinath was born in Mithila In the Ikshvaku dynasty. Her father was king Kumbha and mother queen Prajnavati (Prabhavati). Before her birth, her mother had the desire to wear a garland (malli), woven of flowers of all seasons. Gods and goddesses fulfilled her wish who themselves prepared the garland for her mother. Hence her name was decided to be Malli. Together with Malli, reincarnation happened to six of her friends in the previous birth. All of them wanted to marry her which she refused. Malli decided to leave the palace and accepted mendicancy after three days of fasting. Malli’s mind reading knowledge arose just then. On the same day, during meditation, she obtained omniscience (keval jnan) at the foot of an ashoka tree.

After attaining omniscience, Lord Mallinath delivered a sermon on tranquility (samya). The feelings of love and hate can be destroyed who plunge into the ocean of tranquility. Those who adopt tranquility can destroy karma in lesser time and practices compared to those who practice severe penance only for destroying karma. Karma and soul are joined by the splinter of tranquility. Tranquility is said to be present to those whose mind is free from confusion. The sermon delivered by Lord Mallinath influenced people present in the congregation who later on became her followers. Her six friends were also became her disciple. Lord Mallinath thereafter travelled many villages and towns propagating religion to common people for many years. When Lord Mallinath became old she went to Mt. Sammet and undertook a fast until death and attained nirvana.

Yaksa Kuber was the male messenger deity and Vairotya was the female messenger deity who accompanied the Lord throughout her life.

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