Contributed by Jasmine Kelly
Abhinandananātha or Lord Abhinandana is the fourth of the 24 Jinas of the present cycle of time.
The word Jina means 'victor' in Sanskrit. A Jina is an enlightened human being who has triumphed over karma through practising extreme asceticism and teaches the way to achieve liberation. A Jina is also called a Tīrthaṃkara or 'ford-maker' in Sanskrit – that is, one who has founded a community after reaching omniscience.
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There is no historical evidence of Abhinandana’s existence but traditional writings recount his life as following the usual career of a Jina. Tradition holds that he was born in Ayodhyā and achieved liberation on Mount Sammeta, also known as Pārasnātha Hill.
Abhinandana’s symbolic colour is gold and his emblem the monkey.
Like all Jinas, Abhinandana has a pair of spiritual attendants, often shown in art. His yakṣa is Yakṣanāyaka to Digambaras and Yakṣeśvara to Śvetāmbaras. Digambaras call his yakṣī Vajraśrnkhalā while Śvetāmbaras name her Kālikā.
Victoria and Albert Museum. IS. 83-1963. Unknown author. 15th century
Victoria and Albert Museum. IS 46-1959. Unknown author. Late 15th to 16th centuries
British Library. Or. 11921. Unknown author. 1488
British Library. Or. 13472. Unknown author. Perhaps 19th century