Panch Kalyanaka

Panch Kalyanaka (Sanskrit: pan̄ca kalyāṇaka, "Five Auspicious Events") are the five chief auspicious events that occur in the life of tirthankara in Jainism.[1][2][3] They are commemorated as part of many Jain rituals and festivals.[4]

Kalyanaka

These auspicious life events are as below:[3][4][5][6]

1. Chyavana kalyāṇaka: When the ātman (soul) of a tirthankara enter's their mother's womb.[7]
2. Janma kalyāṇaka: Birth of the tirthankara.[2][7] Janmabhisheka [8] is a ritual celebrating this event in which Indra does abhisheka with 1008 Kalasha (holy vessels) on the tirthankara on Mount Meru.[9]
3. Dīkṣā kalyāṇaka: When a tirthankara renounce all worldly possessions and becomes an ascetic.[10]
4. Kēvalajñāna kalyāṇaka: The event when a tirthankara attains kēvalajñāna (absolute knowledge). A divine samavasarana (preaching hall) appears, from where the tirthankara delivers sermons and restores the Jain community and teachings.[11]
5. Nirvāṇa kalyāṇaka: When a tirthankara leaves their mortal body, it is known as nirvana. It is followed by final liberation, moksha. A tirthankara is considered a Siddha after that.[12][13]

Pancha Kalyanaka of Mahavira, folios from Kalpasutra, loose leaf manuscript, Patan, Gujarat. c. 1472 (now in Brooklyn Museum)

• 
  Chyavana kalyāṇaka
• 
  Janma kalyāṇaka
• 
  Dīkṣā kalyāṇaka
• 
  Kēvalajñāna kalyāṇaka
• 
  Nirvāṇa kalyāṇaka

Kalyanaka Dates of 24 Tirthankara

These dates are called Kalyanaka Tithi. All dates are considered according to Jain calendar known as Jain Panchang based on the Vira Nirvana Samvat, but they differ according to different sects of Jain tradition and sometimes different within the same tradition also.[14][15][16][17][s][d][o]

The following table states the Kalyanaka Tithis according to the Digambar Jain tradition from the Vira Nirvana Samvat Calendar.

No.	Tirthankara	Garbha Kalyanaka	Janma Kalyanaka	Tapa Kalyanaka	Jnana Kalyanaka	Nirvana Kalyanaka
1	Rishabhanatha	Ashadha Krishna 2	Chaitra Krishna 9	Chaitra Krishna 9	Falguna Krishna 11	Magha Krishna 14
2	Ajitanatha	Jyeshtha Krishna 15	Magha Shukla 10	Magha Shukla 10	Pausha Shukla 11	Chaitra Shukla 5
3	Sambhavanatha	Falguna Shukla 8	Kartika Shukla 15	Margashirsha Shukla 15	Kartika Krishna 4	Chaitra Shukla 6
4	Abhinandananatha	Vaishakha Shukla 6	Magha Shukla 12	Magha Shukla 12	Pausha Shukla 14	Vaishakha Shukla 6
5	Sumatinatha	Shravana Shukla 2	Chaitra Shukla 11	Vaishakha Shukla 9	Chaitra Shukla 11	Chaitra Shukla 11
6	Padmaprabhu	Magha Krishna 6	Kartika Krishna 13	Kartika Krishna 13	Chaitra Shukla 15	Falguna Krishna 4
7	Suparshvanatha	Bhadrapada Shukla 6	Jyeshtha Shukla 12	Jyeshtha Krishna 12	Falguna Krishna 6	Falguna Krishna 7
8	Chandraprabhu	Chaitra Krishna 5	Pausha Krishna 11	Pausha Krishna 11	Falguna Krishna 7	Falguna Krishna 7
9	Pushpadanta	Falguna Krishna 9	Margashirsha Krishna 1	Margashirsha Shukla 1	Kartika Shukla 2	Bhadrapada Shukla 8
10	Shitalanatha	Chaitra Krishna 8	Magha Krishna 12	Magha Krishna 12	Pausha Krishna 14	Ashvina Shukla 8
11	Shreyansanatha	Jyeshtha Krishna 6	Falguna Krishna 11	Falguna Krishna 11	Magha Krishna 15	Shravana Shukla 15
12	Vasupujya	Ashadha Krishna 6	Falguna Krishna 14	Falguna Krishna 14	Magha Shukla 2	Bhadrapada Shukla 14
13	Vimalanatha	Jyeshtha Krishna 10	Magha Shukla 4	Magha Shukla 4	Magha Shukla 6	Ashadha Krishna 8
14	Anantanatha	Kartika Krishna 1	Jyeshtha Krishna 12	Jyeshtha Krishna 12	Chaitra Krishna 15	Chaitra Krishna 15
15	Dharmanatha	Vaishakha Krishna 14	Magha Shukla 13	Magha Shukla 13	Pausha Shukla 15	Jyeshtha Shukla 4
16	Shantinatha	Bhadrapada Krishna 7	Jyeshtha Krishna 14	Jyeshtha Krishna 14	Pausha Shukla 10	Jyeshtha Krishna 14
17	Kunthunatha	Shravana Shukla 10	Vaishakha Shukla 1	Vaishakha Shukla 1	Chaitra Shukla 3	Vaishakha Shukla 1
18	Arahanatha	Falguna Shukla 3	Margashirsha Shukla 14	Margashirsha Shukla 10	Kartika Shukla 12	Chaitra Krishna 15
19	Mallinatha	Chaitra Shukla 1	Margashirsha Shukla 11	Margashirsha Shukla 11	Pausha Krishna 2	Falguna Shukla 5
20	Munisuvrata	Shravana Krishna 2	Vaishakha Krishna 10	Vaishakha Krishna 10	Vaishakha Krishna 9	Falguna Krishna 12
21	Naminatha	Ashvina Krishna 2	Ashadha Krishna 10	Ashadha Krishna 10	Margashirsha Shukla 11	Vaishakha Krishna 14
22	Neminatha	Kartika Shukla 6	Shravana Shukla 6	Shravana Shukla 6	Ashvina Shukla 1	Ashadha Shukla 7
23	Parshvanatha	Vaishakha Krishna 2	Pausha Krishna 11	Pausha Krishna 11	Chaitra Krishna 4	Shravana Shukla 7
24	Mahavira	Ashadha Shukla 6	Chaitra Shukla 13	Margashirsha Krishna 10	Vaishakha Shukla 10	Kartika Krishna 15

Note: This list is according to Śvētāmbara tradition and months are according to the Gujarati calendar.

No.	Tirthankara	Garbh Kalyanaka	Janma Kalyanaka	Diksha Kalyanaka	Kevala Jnana Kalyanaka	Nirvana Kalyanaka
1	Rishabha	Jeth Vad 4	Fagan Vad 8	Fagan Vad 8	Maha Vad 11	Posh Vad 13
2	Ajitanatha	Vaisakh Sud 13	Maha Sud 8	Maha Sud 9	Posh Sud 11	Chaitra Sud 5
3	Sambhavanatha	Fagan Sud 8	Magsar Sud 14	Magasar Sud 15	Asho Vad 5	Chaitra Sud 5
4	Abhinandananatha	Vaisakh Sud 4	Maha Sud 2	Maha Sud 12	Posh Sud 14	Vaisakh Sud 8
5	Sumatinatha	Shravan Sud 2	Vaisakh Sud 8	Vaisakh Sud 9	Chaitra Sud 11	Chaitra Sud 9
6	Padmaprabha	Posh Vad 6	Asho Vad 12	Asho Vad 13	Chaitra Sud 11	Chaitra Sud 9
7	Suparshvanatha	Shravan Vad 8	Jeth Sud 12	Jeth Sud 13	Maha Vad 6	Maha Vad 7
8	Chandraprabha	Fagan Vad 5	Magasar Vad 12	Magasar Vad 13	Maha Vad 7	Shravan Vad 7
9	Pushpadanta	Maha Vad 9	Kartak Vad 5	Kartak Vad 6	Kartak Sud 3	Bhadarva Sud 9
10	Shitalanatha	Chaitra Vad 6	Posh Vad 12	Posh Vad 13	Magasar Vad 14	Chaitra Vad 2
11	Shreyanasanatha	Vaisakh Vad 6	Maha Vad 12	Maha Vad 13	Posh Vad Amaas	Ashadh Vad 3
12	Vasupujya	Jeth Sud 9	Maha Vad 14	Maha Vad Amaas	Maha Sud 2	Asadh Sud 14
13	Vimalanatha	Vaisakh Sud 12	Maha Sud 3	Maha Sud 4	Posh Sud 6	Jeth Vad 7
14	Anantanatha	Asadh Vad 7	Chaitra Vad 13	Chaitra Vad 14	Chaitra Vad 14	Chaitra Sud 5
15	Dharmanatha	Vaisakh Sud 7	Maha Sud 3	Maha Sud 12	Posh sud 15	Jeth Sud 5
16	Shantinatha	Shravan Vad 7	Vaishakh Vad 13	Vaiskh Vad 14	Posh Sud 9	Vaisakh Vad 13
17	Kunthunatha	Asadh Vad 9	Chaitra Vad 14	Chaitra Vad 5	Chaitra Vad 5	Chaitra Vad 1
18	Aranatha	Fagan Sud 2	Magsar Sud 10	Magsar Sud 11	Kartik Sud 12	Magsar Sud 10
19	Māllīnātha	Fagan Sud 4	Magsar Sud 11	Magsar Sud 11	Magsar Sud 11	Fagan Sud 12
20	Munisuvrata	Shravan Sud 15	Vaisakh Vad 8	Fagan Sud 12	Shravan Vad 12	Vaisakh Vad 9
21	Naminatha	Asho Sud 15	Ashadh Vad 8	Jeth Vad 9	Magsar Sud 11	Chaitra Vad 10
22	Neminatha	Asho Vad 12	Shravan Sud 5	Shravan Sud 6	Bhadarva Vad Amaas	Ashadh Sud 8
23	Parshvanatha	Fagan Vad 4	Magsar Vad 10	Magsar Vad 11	Fagan Vad 4	Shravan Sud 7
24	Mahavira	Asadh Sud 6	Chaitra Sud 13	Kartak Vad 10	Vaisakh Sud 10	Asho Vad Amaas

Keys

• Dates are in short format. For example, Kartika Shukla 15 means Fifteenth day of Bright fortnight (waxing fortnight) (Sud) of Kartika month, or the Full moon day of the Kartika month.
• ^ s: according to Śvētāmbara tradition
  
• ^ d: according to Digambara tradition
  
• ^ o: according to other sources
  

Kalyanaka Places of 24 Tirthankara

Kalyanaka Bhumi are places where any of these Kalyanaka took place in relation to 24 Tirthankara. They are considered places of pilgrimage by Jains.[5] 20 out of 24 Tirthankaras' Nirvana kalyanaka took place at Shikharji.[13]

They are as below:[13][18][19]

No.	Tirthankara	Chyavan Kalyanaka	Janma Kalyanaka	Diksha Kalyanaka	Keval Gyan Kalyanaka	Nirvan Kalyanaka
1	Rishabha	Ayodhya			Purimtal ( now Prayag or Allahabad)	Ashtapad
2	Ajitnath	Ayodhya				Shikharji
3	Sambhavanath	Shravasti
4	Abhinandananatha	Ayodhya
5	Sumatinath
6	Padmaprabha	Kausambi
7	Suparshvanath	Bhadaini, Varanasi
8	Chandraprabha	Chandrapuri
9	Suvidhinatha	Kakandi (now Khukhundu, Deoria district)
10	Sheetalnath	Bhadilpur or Bhadrikapuri
11	Shreyansanath	Sinhpuri, Varanasi
12	Vasupujya	Champapuri (now Bhagalpur)[20]
13	Vimalnath	Kampilya				Shikharji
14	Anantnath	Ayodhya
15	Dharmanath	Ratnapuri
16	Shantinath	Hastinapur
17	Kunthunath
18	Aranath
19	Mallinath	Mithila
20	Munisuvrata	Rajgruhi
21	Naminatha	Mithila
22	Neminatha	Sauripur		Girnar
23	Parshva	Varanasi			Ahichchhatra	Shikharji
24	Mahavira	Kundalagrama (Kshatriya Kund) near Vaishali			Rijuvalika	Pavapuri

Rituals

Some Jain rituals have close relationship with these five Kalyanakas. Panch Kalyanaka Puja is a ritual solemnizes all five Kalyanaka. It was narrated by Pandit Virvijay. Snatra Puja is a ritual related to Janma Kalyanaka in which icons of Tirthankara are bathed symbolising Indra doing Abhisheka on Tirthankara on Mount Meru after birth of Tirthankara. It performed before many other rituals and before starting of new enterprises, birthdays.[9]

When a new Jain Temple is erected, these Five Auspicious Life Events are celebrated known as Panch Kalyanaka Pratishtha Mahotsava. It is followed by Anjana Shalaka, a ceremony to install new Tirthankara icon. An Acharya recite mantras related to Panch Kalyanaka followed by applying special paste to eyes of Tirthankara image. After these an icons of Tirthankara gets a status of real Tirthankara which can be worshipped by Jains. Acharya have to fast for three days before that.[21]

Festivals

Many Jain festivals mark Kalyanaka of Tirthankara especially Janma and Nirvana Kalyanaka.

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak marks Janma Kalyanak (birth) of 24th Tirthankara, Mahavira. Abhisheka of icons are done on this day and procession celebrating this event takes place in the cities. It is on 13th day of bright half of Chaitra month of Jain calendar (March/April).[9]

Diwali is a day of Nirvana Kalyanaka of Mahavira. He attained Moksha on this day in 527 BCE. It falls on fifteenth day of dark half of Ashwin (Aaso) month (September/October) which is also a last day of a year.[9]

Pausha Dashmi is celebrated on 10th day of dark half of Pausha (Pushya) month of Hindu calendar(December/January). It marks Janma kalyanaka (birth) of 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath. Three days fast is observed by many Jains.

Maun Agiyaras or Ekadashi marks Kalyanaka of many Tirthankaras. It is celebrated on 11th day of Magshar month of Jain calendar (October/November). On this day, complete silence is observed and fasting is kept. Meditation is also performed.[9]

See also

• Pañca-Parameṣṭhi
• God in Jainism
• Jain symbols

References

Citations

1. Titze, Kurt (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 262. ISBN 9788120815346. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
2. Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998). The Jaina Path Of Purification. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 196, 343, 347. ISBN 9788120815780. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
3. Mehta, Jodh Sinha (1970). Abu to Udaipur: (Celestial Simla to City of Sunrise). Motilal Banarsidass Publisher. p. 20. ISBN 9788185066172. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
4. Cort, John E. (2001). Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India. Oxford University Press. p. 110. ISBN 9780195132342. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
5. Lal, Kanwar (1961). Holy cities of India. Asia Press. p. 59. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
6. Eberhard Fischer, Jyotindra Jain (1978). Jaina Iconography, Volume 1. BRILL. pp. 4–13. ISBN 9789004052598. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
7. "Garbh Kalyanak". www.herenow4u.net. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
8. https://www.jainkosh.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%95
9. Wiley, Kristi L. (2009). The A to Z of Jainism. Scarecrow Press. pp. 200, 246. ISBN 9780810868212. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
10. "Diksha Kalyanak". www.herenow4u.net. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
11. "Kevaljnana Kalyanak". www.herenow4u.net. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
12. "Nirvana Kalyanak". www.herenow4u.net. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
13. Dalal, Roshen (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books India. p. 369. ISBN 9780143415176. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
14. "PANCH KALYANAK of 24 TIRTHANKAR". jainuniversity.org. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
15. "Kalyanak Year 2012-13". www.jain24.org. Archived from the original on 4 July 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
16. "Jain Panchang 2010-Page 2" (PDF). jaindial.com/Jain_Panchang.asp. www.jaindial.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
17. "Activity / Tithi Calendar showing Feb-2011/Posh-Maha month Kalyanaka". www.melbournejainsangh.org. Melbourne Jain Sangh. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
18. "kalyanak-bhumi". jainuniversity.org. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
19. Uttar Pradesh Tourism. "Ahicchatra" (PDF). Uttar Pradesh Tourism. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
20. Krishnachandra Ghosh, Puran Chand Nahar (1988). Jainism, precepts and practice, Volume 2. Caxton. p. 689. ISBN 9788185066172. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
21. Jaini, Padmanabh S. (1998). The Jaina Path Of Purification. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 196–199. ISBN 9788120815780. Retrieved 10 December 2012.

Sources

• Vyas, Dr. R. T., ed. (1995), Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects, The Director, Oriental Institute, on behalf of the Registrar, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, ISBN 81-7017-316-7