Sumatinatha, Sumatinātha, Sumati-natha: 4 definitions

Introduction
In Jainism
1. General definition
See also

Introduction:

Sumatinatha means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Sumatinātha (सुमतिनाथ) is another name for Sumati, the fifth Tīrthaṅkara (Janism recognizes 24 such teachers or Siddhas). His colour is gold (kāñcana), according to Aparājitapṛcchā (221.5-7). His height is 300 dhanuṣa (a single dhanuṣa (or, ‘bow’) equals 6 ft), thus, roughly corresponding to 549 meters. His emblem, or symbol, is a Goos.

Sumatinātha’s father is Megha according to Śvetāmbara but Meghaprabha according to Digambara and his mother is Maṅgalā. It is an ancient Jain practice to worship the Tīrthaṅkara’s parents in various rites, such as the pratiṣṭhāvidhi, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).

Source: archive.org: The Jaina Iconography

Sumatinātha (सुमतिनाथ) refers to the fifth of twenty-four Tīrthaṃkaras or Jinas, commonly depicted in Jaina iconography.—Sumatinātha is known from the Jaina Literature to be associaledwith the symbol of a curlow (Krauñca) or a red goose. The Kevala tree, in his case, is Priyaṃgu. The Yakṣa and Yakṣī attending upon him in the image are named Tumbaru and Mahākālī. His chowribearer is called Mitravīrya.

The Sumatinātha’s native place and his parents have been mentioned in the Jaina traditional history. His birth place was Ayodhyā (Sāketa), his father was called Megharatha and mother Maṅgalā. When and how he attained the Kevala knowledge and what palanquin carried him, all these are given in the Uttarapurāṇa.

With regard to the derivation of [Sumatinātha’s] name,—“the child was called Sumatinātha, because even before his birth his mother’s intellect (Sumati) was so sharpened. To prove the queen’s ability, a story resembling that of the judgment of Solomon runs. An old Brahmin died, leaving two wives; both women laimed the only son as their’s and the dispute was taken to the queen to settle, who decreed, as Solomon did (and with similar result), that the living child should be cut into two”. The Jina’s Lāñchana of a goose has clear association with the same symbol of Sarasvatī, the goddess of intelligence. It summarily symbolises the central idea of Sumati or Intelligence behind the life of the Tīrthaṃkara.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Sumatinātha (सुमतिनाथ) or Sumati refers to the fifth of the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras, according to chapter 3.3 [sumatinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly:—“[...] Since his mother’s mind was brilliant while he was in her womb, his father gave the Master the name Sumati. Cherished by nurses appointed by Indra the Lord of the World passed his childhood and attained youth. Three hundred bows tall, broad-shouldered, with branches in the form of arms hanging to his knees, the Lord looked like a living kalpa-tree”.

Source: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection I

Sumatinātha (सुमतिनाथ) or Sumatināthagīta refers to one of the twenty-four songs (gīta) embedded in the Caturviṃśatijinagīta by Jinarāja (dealing with classical hymns and stotras from Jain literature), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Relevant text

Search found 6 books and stories containing Sumatinatha, Sumatinātha, Sumati-natha, Sumati-nātha; (plurals include: Sumatinathas, Sumatināthas, nathas, nāthas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Invocation < [Chapter III - Sumatināthacaritra]

Part 22: Sumatinātha’s messenger-deities (śāsanadevatās) < [Chapter III - Sumatināthacaritra]

Part 16: Sumatinātha’s birth < [Chapter III - Sumatināthacaritra]

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Chapter I.c - The lives of the Tīrthaṅkaras < [Chapter I - Introduction]

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Adinatha Temple, main temple (Khordha) < [Chapter 3: Survey of Jaina Antiquities in Odisha]

Iconography of Jain Gods and Goddess < [Chapter 6]

Iconography of Tirthankaras < [Chapter 6]

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The twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras and their Yakṣas and Yakṣiṇīs < [Chapter 6 - Iconographic Study of Jaina Sculptural Remains]

Meaning of Tīrthaṅkara < [Chapter 1 - Introduction and Scope of the Present Study]