Vasupujya

Vasupujya was the twelfth Jain Tirthankara (spiritual teacher). According to Jain tradition, he was born to King Vasu and Queen Jaya Devi of Champapuri in the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth date is the fourteenth day of the Falgun Krishna month of the Hindu calendar.

Before becoming a Tirthankara, Vasupujya underwent rigorous ascetic practices. After attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience), he preached the principles of Jainism, which include non-violence (ahimsa), non-attachment (aparigraha), and truthfulness (satya). He emphasized the importance of following the right path to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Vasupujya is associated with the Champaka tree, under which he is believed to have attained Kevala Jnana. His Yaksha is Kumara and Yakshini is Gandhari.

He is said to have attained moksha (liberation) from Champapuri. Shvetambara tradition states he was a Brahmachari, never marrying. Digambara tradition holds that he married but abandoned his worldly life to pursue asceticism.

The teachings of Vasupujya continue to be revered by Jains as a guide to spiritual advancement and the attainment of liberation.