Jambu was the son of a wealthy merchant of Rajagriha. Moved by Sudharma's teaching, he wished to renounce, but agreed to his parents' wish that he first marry. He married eight brides — and on the wedding night, instead of celebrating, he talked with them until dawn about what truly lasts.
That same night, the famous thief Prabhava broke in with his band to rob the wedding treasure. Standing in the shadows, he heard Jambu's words, forgot why he had come, and asked to be taught. By morning Jambu, his eight wives, their parents, and Prabhava with his five hundred companions all resolved to renounce together. Prabhava later became an acharya himself.
Jain tradition holds that Jambu was the last person in this region and this age to attain Kevala Jnana and liberation. After him, the door to omniscience in our time is said to have closed until the next rising half of the cycle of time.
