Shantinatha
Shantinatha was the sixteenth Jain tirthankar of the present age (Avasarpini). Shantinatha was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Aiira at Hastinapur in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date is the thirteenth day of the Jyest Krishna month of the Indian calendar. He was also a Chakravartin and a Kamadeva. He ascended to the throne when he was 25 years old. After over 25,000 years at the throne, he became a Jain monk and started his penance. According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Biography in Jain tradition . Shantinatha was the sixteenth Jain "Tīrthankara" of the 24 tirthankars of the present age ("avasarpini"). Life before renunciation. He was born to King Vishvasena and Queen Achira at Hastinapur on 13th day of Jestha Krishna in the Ikshvaku clan. Before the birth of Shantinatha, Queen Achira dreamt the sixteen most auspicious dreams. Shantinatha spent 25,000 years as a youth ("kumāra kāla") and married a beautiful princess. He ruled his kingdom for 50,000 years. During his rule, armoury was blessed with divine chakraratna. During his reign he conquered all six divisions of earth in all directions, acquiring elephants, horses, nine-fold  most precious treasures and fourteen "ratna" (jewels). Shantinatha became the fifth Chakravartin. During his time, an epidemic of epilepsy broke out and he helped to control it. Shantinath became the idea of peace and tranquility by averting epidemics, fire, famine, foreign invasions, robbers, etc., giving him the name of "Shantinath". He is also associated with special right known as "Shantikarma". According to Acharya Hemachandra, epidemics, evils and misery were destroyed when Shantinatha was in his mother's womb. Renunciation. Shantinatha, when made aware of his previous incarnations, renounced his worldly life and became a Jain ascetic. After his sixteen year  of asceticism, on the ninth bright day of the month of Pausha (December–January), he achieved "kevala jnana" (omniscience) under a nandi tree. According to Jain texts, Shantinatha neither slept nor ate during his penance. After achieving "kevala jnana" he visited Somanasapur, and was offered first "ahara" food by King Dharma Mitra and his wife. He is said to have lived 1 lakh () years and spent many years spreading his knowledge. On the 13th day of the dark half of the month Jyestha (May–June), he attained nirvana at Sammed Shikharji, known contemporaneously as the Parasnath Hills in northern Jharkhand . The "yaksha" and "yakshi" of Shantinatha are Kimpurusha and Mahamanasi according to Digambara tradition and Garuda and Nirvani according to Śvētāmbara tradition. Disciples. According to Jain texts, Cakrayudha Svami was the leader of the Shantinatha disciples. Legacy. Worship. Along with Rishabhanatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha and Mahavira, Shantinatha is one of the five tirthankars who attract the most devotional worship among the Jains. According to "Santistava" compiled by Acharya Manadevasuri, the head of Shvetambar in the third century, mere recitation of Shantinath negates all bad omens, brings peace and protects devotees from problems. Santistava is considered one of the four most beautifully  written "stavans". The "Laghnu-Shantistavaa", compiled by Acharya Manadevisuri in the seventh century, is a hymn to Shantinatha full of tantric usage. The "yakshi" Nirvani devi is also known as "Shanti-devi" and prayed to with Shantinatha for peace. Iconography. Shantinatha is usually depicted in a sitting or standing meditative posture with the symbol of a deer or antelope beneath him. Every has a distinguishing emblem that allows worshippers to distinguish similar-looking idols of the . The deer or antelope emblem of Shantinath is usually carved below the legs of the . Like all , Shantinath is depicted with "Shrivatsa" and downcast  eyes.