Article: Ajita
Contributed by Jasmine Kelly
Ajitanātha or Lord Ajita is the second 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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Story and images
Elephant
Image by British Library © CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
There is no historical evidence of Ajita'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.
Ajita’s symbolic colour is gold and his emblem the elephant.
Like all Jinas, Ajita has a pair of spiritual attendants, often shown in art. His yakṣa is Mahāyakṣa. Digambaras call his yakṣī Rohinī while Śvetāmbaras call her Ajitā.
Related Manuscripts
First page with library stamps
British Library. Or. 13455. Unknown author. 14th to 15th centuries
Section on Mahāvīra
British Library. Or. 13342. Unknown author.
Related Manuscript Images
Image of a Jina
British Library. Or. 13623. Yaśo-vijaya. 1733
Hymn to Ajita
British Library. Or. 13623. Yaśo-vijaya. 1733
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