Rishabha (Hinduism)

This article is about Hindu Rishi. For the founder of Jainism, see Rishabhanatha.
Rishabha

Rishabha

From a series of Vishnu Avataras - Rishabha

In Hinduism, Rishabha is the eighth Avatar of Vishnu of the twenty-two incarnations listed in the Bhagavata Purana.[1]

Rishabha Rishi is also mentioned in the Markandeya, Brahmanda, Skanda, and Vishnu Puranas.[2]

Children

To teach the general populace, Rishabha performed many sacrifices and taught his sons how to rule the citizens.[3]

Relation to Shiva

Chanting Brahmins and King Ikshwaku proceed to heaven

Many epithets that have been applied to Lord Shiva have also been applied to Rishabha; these include Aghora, Ishana, Sadyojata, and Vamadeva.[4] The influence of Lord Shiva is clearly noticeable on the Mahapurana, in as much as the Puranakara has called Lord Rishabha as tripurari, trilochana, trinetra, tryambaka, and tryakshna.

In one legend, there is a Saint Rishabh who came to Bhadrayuva unexpectedly, and taught him a great mantra called the Shivakavacha.[5]

In the "Brahmottara-candam" section of the Brahma Purana, the narrator Suta describes many matters relating to Shaivism and in the 16th portion, there is a story about Bhadrabahu receiving instructions in a mantra from Rishabha yogi.[6]

The Linga Purana mentions that in every kali yuga, Lord Shiva has incarnated, and that in one kali yuga he was a Yogeshwara (one of His 28 incarnations) named Rishabha.[7]

Relation to Vishnu

According to some Vaishnava scriptures, Rishabha is an avatara of Vishnu. The Bhagavata Purana is the first to make this claim.

0 Rudra-like Divinity ! do thou produce amongst us, of high descent, a Great God, like Rishabha Deva, by becoming Arhan, which is the epithet of the first World Teacher; let Him become the destroyer of the enemies !
— Rig Veda, X.12.166

References

  1. ↑ Matchett, Freda (2001). Krishna, Lord or Avatara?: the relationship between Krishna and Vishnu. 9780700712816. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7007-1281-6.
  2. ↑ Champat Rai Jain (1935). Risabha Deva - The Founder of Jainism. Delhi: The Jain Mitra Mandal. pp. iii–v. Not in Copyright
  3. ↑ Bhagvata Purana. Canto 5, Chapter 4 Summary
  4. ↑ P. 119 Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 54, Indian History Congress
  5. ↑ P. 99 100 Stories: Stories from Indiann Mythology: Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda By Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
  6. ↑ P. 88, Madras Journal of Literature and Science, Volume 11 By Madras Literary Society and Auxiliary of the Royal Asiatic Society
  7. ↑ P. 16 Linga Purana By Vinay. The list is in order is: Shweta, Sutara, Madana, Suhotra, Kanchana, Lokakshee, Jagishavya, Dadhivahana, Rishabha, Muni, Ugra, Atri, Vali, Gautama, Vedashrira, Gokarna, Guhavasi, Shikhandabhriti, Jatamali, Attahasa, Daruka, Langali, Mahakaya, Shuli, Mundishvara, Sahishnu, Somasharma, and Jagadguru.
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