Ajitanatha

Ajitnatha (lit. invincible) was the second tirthankara of the present age, avasarpini (half time cycle in Jain cosmology) according to Jainism. Ajitnatha was born in the town of Saketa to King Jitashatru and Queen Vijaya at Ayodhya (Vinita-Saketa) in the Ikshvaku dynasty on magha-shukla-dashmi (the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Magha). His height was 450 bows or 2,700 feets. He lived for a span of 72 lakh purva. According to Hemachandra, he was named Ajita because the king father was unable to defeat his mother in gambling until he was in her womb. Uttarapurana, a Digambara text, explains that he was named Ajita because he could not be defeated by sins or all heretics. Ajitanatha is said to have been born 50 lakh crore sagara after his predecessor, Rishabhanatha. His successor, Sambhavanatha, is said to have been born 30 lakh crore sagara after him. == Iconography ==

Swetambara as well as Digambara sects consider his complexion golden and elephant as his symbol. He is associated with saptaparna tree; Mahayaksha as attendant Yaksha; and Ajita (as per Swetambra) or Rohini (as per Digambara) as attendant Yakshis. The elephant, symbol of Ajitanatha, is a vahana (mount) of the Mahayakshya and Ajita Yakshi seems named after Ajitanatha. ==In literature, art and architecture==

Literature • The Ajitha purana, by Ranna narrates the story of Ajitanatha. • Ajitashanti Stotra compiled by Nandisena in 7th century is a praise to Ajitnatha and Shantinatha. Major temples • Taranga Jain Temple • Vasai Jain Temple in Bhadresar • Bandhaji • Chaturmukha Basadi, Gerusoppa • Dehra Temple File:Kutch Bhadreshwar Jain Temple.jpg|Vasai Jain Temple File:Tarangaji Jain temple.jpg|Taranga, Gujarat (1121 AD) constructed by King Kumarapala File:Rangmandap, Taranga Jain Temple.jpg|Rang mandapa of the Svetambara Jain Temple at Taranga which was originally constructed by Kumarpala in 1161 File:Chaturmukha basadi, Gerusoppa (cropped).jpg|Chaturmukha Basadi, Gerusoppa ==See also==