tirthankaras/tk-20-munisuvrata.jpg · 1200×1600One of two Tirthankaras of the Harivamsha lineage rather than the Ikshvaku — the same lineage as Neminatha.
His best-known episode is a journey made for a single animal. At Bhrigukachchha — today's Bharuch in Gujarat — a horse was about to be sacrificed. Munisuvrata travelled overnight from Rajagriha and taught the horse. It recalled its past life, died in calm rather than terror, and was reborn a god, who returned and built a shrine on the spot. The place is still remembered as the Ashvavabodha Tirtha — where the horse was awakened.
His era also holds the Jain Ramayana. In Vimalasuri's Paumachariya, Rama (called Padma) is the eighth Baladeva, Lakshmana the eighth Vasudeva and Ravana the eighth Prativasudeva. Ravana is a devout Jain layman brought down by one uncontrolled passion. It is Lakshmana, not Rama, who kills him. Rama, who does not kill, later renounces, becomes a monk and attains liberation; Sita becomes a nun.
