Contributed by Jasmine Kelly
Munisuvratanātha or Lord Munisuvrata is the 20th 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 Munisuvrata’s existence but traditional writings recount his life as following the usual career of a Jina. Tradition holds that this Jina was born in Kuśagranagara and achieved liberation on Mount Sammeta, also known as Pārasnātha Hill.
Munisuvrata’s symbolic colour is black and his emblem is a tortoise.
Like all Jinas, Munisuvrata has a pair of spiritual attendants, often shown in art. His yakṣa is Varuṇa. The sect of the Digambaras calls his yakṣī Bhahurūpiṇī while the Śvetāmbaras name her Naradattā.
British Library. Or. 11921. Unknown author. 1488
British Library. Add. 26519. Unknown authors. Possibly 18th century
British Library. Or. 13472. Unknown author. Perhaps 19th century
Wellcome Trust Library. Gamma 3. Unknown author. 1503