Adinath

Adinath, means the first lord, was the first of 24 Jain Tirtankaras. His real name was Rishabhdev. He was born in Ayodhya to Nabhi and Marudev, the king and queen of Ayodhya. Yashaswati and Sunanda, the sisters of princes Kachcha and Mahakachcha, were his wife. Succeeding his father, Adinath became the king of Ayodhya. One day, while the court dancer Nilanjana was dancing before him, she fell down and breathed her last. From this, he realized the ephemeral nature of ordinary life, and he took to asceticism. He got enlightenment after performing severe austerities for a long time. He attained salvation on the summit of Ashtapada or Kailasa Mountain. Jain Tirthankaras are generally identified by their symbols; bull is the emblem of Lord Adinath.