Further reading: Ram Dass, Miracle of Love: Stories
about Neem Karoli Baba (New York: Dutton, 1979);
Sudhir Mukerjee, By His Grace: A Devotee’s Story (Santa
Fe, N. Mex.: Hanuman Foundation, 1990).
Neminatha
Neminatha was the 22nd TIRTHANKARA (Jain saint)
of our era, or, more precisely, half-era, as there are
always 24 Tirthankaras in each half of a longer era.
Unlike the 23rd Tirthankara in our time, PARSHVA-
NATH, and the 24th, MAHAVIRA, both historical fig-
ures, Neminatha is not a historical figure.
Neminatha is said to have had his previous
incarnation in the celestial abode. He was born to
the king Shauripura and his wife, Shiva Devi. His
birth was accompanied by many auspicious signs,
including the appropriate auspicious markings on
his body to indicate his special status. He never
undertook the householder life. At the death of
own parents he resolved to take up the path of a
Jain renunciant, to the acclaim of the gods. He dis-
tributed his vast worldly wealth to the indigent.
As Neminatha ascended his royal palanquin
for the last time to go to his place of renunciation,
all beings hailed him and shouted their praises
and encouragement. He arrived at a park named
Revika and there removed all his garlands and
ornaments and tonsured himself in the fashion of
Jain monks by removing all his hair in five hand-
fuls. At that time he took the vow of taking food
only once every third day until he entered the
order of the wandering monks.
For 54 days Neminatha lived completely
ignoring his body in every way. On the 55th day
on top of Mount Ajjinta, after reducing his food
to once every fourth day, he attained to supreme
knowledge and the status of a kevalin, having
unobstructed wisdom. He attained, afterward, the
status of a Tirthankara, a crosser of the ford, and
omniscience, knowledge of all that occurred in
the world at all times.
At this time he had a community of 18,000
monks, 40,000 nuns, 169,000 laymen, and 369,000
laywomen. With him were 400 monks who had
achieved the highest wisdom short of being per-
fected and many other monks whose knowledge
was developing. They say that Neminatha lived
for 300 years as a bachelor, 54 days as a monk,
and 700 years as an omniscient being. Thereupon,
taking food once every month he fasted until he
left his body and achieved NIRVANA. More than
84,000 years has elapsed since this event.Further reading: Paul Dundas, The Jains (London:
Routledge, 1992); P. S. Jaini, The Jaina Path of Purifica-
tion (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1990); K. C. Lalwani,
Kalpa Sutra (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1979).new moon/full moon ceremonies
New moon (amavasya) and full moon (purnima)
observances and rituals have been held in India
since VEDIC times at least. Many festivals and
holy days occur on these days in contemporary
India.
The following are some of the full moon
celebrations: (1) Chaitra (or Chitra) Purnima is
celebrated to recognize Chitragupta, assistant to
the god of death YAMA. It is thought that if he is
honored while people are alive he may be more
lenient with them after death. (2) The full moon
of the month of Ashvina (September–October)
is a day for worshipping LAKSHMI for wealth. A
vow is taken on that day to stay awake all night.
(3) The full moon in the month of Shravana
(July–August) is the time when certain BRAHMINS
change their sacred threads. In the celebration
of RAKSHABANDHAN sisters generally put a thread
wristlet on brothers for good luck. (4) On the full
moon in the month of Jyeshtha (May–June) occur
the bathing of the images of the Jagannatha for the
festival at Puri, and the observance of a fast day by
married women in recognition of the devotion of
SAVITRI, who retrieved her husband from the jaws
of death. (5) In Chaitra (March–April) the birth-
day of HANUMAN, the monkey god, is observed on
the full moon.new moon/full moon ceremonies 311 J