11/03/2026
Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Ādināth), the first Tirthankar of this cosmic cycle, is not only mentioned in Jain scriptures. Interestingly, his teachings are also acknowledged in several Vedic and Puranic texts, showing how widely his legacy was recognized in ancient Indian literature.
📜 Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 5) describes Shri Rishabhdev Bhagwan as a great spiritual teacher embodying devotion, knowledge, and renunciation. After ruling the earth, he crowned his eldest son Bharata and renounced worldly life to pursue the path of liberation.
📜 Skanda Purana refers to Shri Rishabhadev Jineshvar attaining supreme knowledge and reaching the sacred Ashtapad mountain.
📜 Shrimala Purana acknowledges him as the propagator of Dharma, who guided thousands of disciples.
📜 His name also appears in ancient texts such as the Atharva Veda, Yajurveda Samhita, Kurma Purana, Agni Purana, Garuda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Vayu Purana, and Shiva Purana.
📖 The Manusmriti records that Marudevi gave birth to the First Jina from Nabhi, a revered being worshipped by gods and humans alike.
🌏 Several Puranas including the Vishnu Purana and Linga Purana also note that Bharat Chakravarti, the son of Shri Rishabhdev Bhagwan became a great ruler and that the land came to be known as Bharatavarsha after him.
These references reveal an important historical insight — the influence of Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s spiritual ideals and legacy extended far beyond Jain texts and was remembered across the broader landscape of ancient Indian sacred literature.
