Connection Between Jains and Nath Sampradaya?

 

Some of the blog post recently are being inspired from what I have been reading from the Shripad Shrivallabh Charitra. I cam across the Navnaths in of the chapters. Shripad Shrivallabh has described about the origins of the Navnaths. Let us read below about it.

Who are the Navnaths?

Rishabh Chakravartin had 100 sons. 9 sons out of these had Narayan Amsa or aspects/signs of Narayana and were called "Nav Narayana". They were:

1. Kavi

2. Hari

3. Antariksh

4. Prabudh

5. Pippalayan

6. Avirhotra

7. Drumil

8. Chamas 

9. Karabhajan

These 9 were Siddhas and evolved souls. Shri Krishna had promised about manifestations to reestablish dharmas, and hence as per the command of Shripadraj, these Nav Narayanas came to earth as Navnaths.

Kavi - Matsyendranath, Hari - Gorakshanath, Antariksh - Jalandarnath, Prabudh - Kanifnath, Pippalayan- Charpatnath, Avirhotra - Nagnath, Drumil - Bhartarinath, Chamas - Revanath, Karabhajan - Gahininath

Jain Connection?

Rishabh Chakravartin caught my attention and I searched that it was indeed the Rishabhnatha, the 1st Jain Tirthankar. I have many Jain friends so am aware about some of Jain religion aspects. It was even more interesting to see that Rishabhnatha had two sons, Bharata and Bahubali. Most of the Tirthankars are from the Ikshvaku (Suryavanshi/Solar) Dynasty mostly ruling Ayodhya, Mithila, Kampilya,Hastinapur, Kausambi.

This does establish some common grounds between the two great religions, or paths if I must say. We know that Naths and Tirthankars were both were realized souls. Jains call it Kevala Jnana. We also know that Jains are known for their intense Tapa. Their fast season Paryushan, consists of some really tough vows and fasts, Like Atthai (8 day fast on Just warm water), Solbhatu & Maaskhaman (16 day s and 30 days variant of Atthai), and more tougher ones. 

Similarities can observed with the evolved Nath's who becomes Siddha's after intense Sadhana and Tapa. Some Jain texts place Munivsuvrata Swami, the 20th Tirthankar as a Contemporary of Shri Ram.

Interestingly, the guru of the Navnath's is believed to be Adinatha. Jains also call Rishabhnatha as Adinatha, because he was the 1st Tirthankar.

Amongst the Jains, there are two major divisions, Swetambaras and Digamabaras. Digamabaras are found to be following stricter penance if we are allowed to compare. Many perceive Digambar to mean naked, but actually its means one who has Sky as his dress and in all direction.

If anyone has any idea or information regarding the Jain-Sanatan Dharma contemporary figures, tales etc, please do share.