Rama in Jainism

Rama
Rama and Lakshmana are the eighth set of Baladeva and Vasudeva according to the Jain universal history
Other namesPadma
PredecessorDasharatha
Genealogy
Parents

Rama (Rāma), the hero of Ramayana, is described in the Jain scriptures as one of sixty-three illustrious persons, known as Salakapurusa. Among these, there are nine sets of Balabhadra, Vasudeva and Prati-Vasudeva.[1] Rama was the 8th Balabhadra with Lakshmana and Ravana being his Vasudeva and Prati-Vasudeva counterparts. He is described as a young prince who is deprived of his throne and turned into a pauper. While living in exile his wife Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, King of Lanka. Rama then rescues Sita with the help of his brother Lakshmana and King Sugriva. Ravana is killed by Lakshmana (a deviation from the Hindu epic where Rama slays Ravana) and they both go into hell. Rama becomes a Jain muni and his soul attains moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).[1] Sita becomes a Jain sadhvi and is born into heaven as Indra.

According to Nirvana Kanda Rama attained nirvana at Tungi Giri in Maharashtra, where the Jains worship his footprints.

  1. ^ a b Pillai, Pooja. "No exaggerations: The truth behind what happened in the Ramayana". No. 8 November 2015. The Indian Express. Retrieved 8 November 2015.