In the Jaina Purânas, legends are given to account for the connexion of the Yakshas and Yakshîs with their respective Tîrthakaras: thus, in the case of Pârśvanâtha, we have a story of two brothers Marubhûti and Kamaṭha, who in eight successive incarnations were always enemies, and were finally born as Pârśvanâtha and Sambaradeva respectively. A Pâshaṇḍa or unbeliever, engaged in the panchâgni rite, when felling a tree for his fire, against the remonstrance of Pârśvanâtha, cut in pieces two snakes that were in it; the Jina, however restored them to life by means of the pañchamantra. They were then re-born in Pâtâla-loka as Dharaṇendra or Nâgendra-Yaksha and Padmâvatî-Yakshiṇî. When Sambaradeva or Meghakumâra afterwards attacked the Arbat with a great storm, whilst he was engaged in the Kâyotsarga austerity--standing immovable, exposed to the weather--much in the way that Mâra attacked Śâkya Buddha at Bodh-gayâ, Dharaṇendra's throne in Pâtâla thereupon shook, and the Nâga or Yaksha with his consort at once sped to the protection of his former benefactor. Dharaṇendra spread his many hoods over the head of the Arhata and the Yakshṅî Padmâvatî held a white umbrella (śveta chhatri) over him for protection. Ever after they became his constant attendants, just as Śakra was to Buddha. The legend is often represented in old-sculptures, in the cave-temples at Bâdâmi, Elura, etc., and the figure of Pârśva is generally carved with the snake-hoods (Śeshaphaṇi) over him. [[2]]
Other legends account for the attachment of each pair of Śâsanadevatâs to their respective Jinas.
The Śvetâmbaras and Digambaras agree generally in the details respecting the different Tîrthakaras; but, from information furnished from Maisur, they seem to differ as to the names of the Yakshiṇis attached to the several Tîrthakaras, except the first and last two; they differ also in the names of several of the Jinas of the past and the future aeons. The Digambaras enlist most of the sixteen Vidyâdevis or goddesses of knowledge among the Yakshiṇîs, whilst the other sect include scarcely a third of them.
These Vidyâdevîs, as given by Hemachandra, are--(1) Rohiṇî; (2) Prajñaptî; (3) Vajrasṛińkhalâ; (4) Kuliśânkuścâ--probably the Ankuśa-Yakshî of the Śvetàmbâra fourteenth Jina; (5) Chakreśvarî; (6) Naradattâ or Purushadattâ; (7) Kâli or Kâlîkâ; (8) Mahákâlî; (9) Gaurî; (10) Gândhârî; (11) Sarvâstramahâjvâlâ; (12) Mânavî; (13) Vairoṭyâ; (14) Achchhuptâ; (15) Mânasî; and (16) Mahâmânasikâ.
The images of the Tîrthakaras are always represented seated with their legs crossed in front--the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee of the other; and the right hand lies over the left in the lap. All are represented exactly alike except that Pârśvanâtha, the twenty-third, has the snake-hoods over him; and, with the Digambaras, Supârśva--the seventh, has also a smaller group of snake hoods. The Digambara images are all quite nude; those of the Śvetâmbaras are represented as clothed, and they decorate them with crowns and ornaments. They are distinguished from one another by their attendant Yakshas and Yakshiṇîs as well as by their respective chihnas or cognizances which are carved on the cushion of the throne.
All the Jinas are ascribed to the Ikshvâku family (kula)except the twentieth Munisuvrata and twenty-second Neminâtha, who were of the Harivaṃśa race.
All received dîkshà or consecration at their native places; and all obtained jńâna or complete enlightenment at the same, except Ṛishabha who became a Kevalin at Purimatàla, Nemi at Girnâr, and Mahâvîra at the Rijupàlukà river; and twenty of them died or obtained moksha (deliverance in bliss) on Sameta-Śikhara or Mount Pârśvanâtha in the west of Bengal. But Ṛishabha, the first, died on Ashṭâpada--supposed to be Śatruñljaya in Gujarât; Vâsupûjya died at Champâpuri in north Bengal; Neminâtha on mount Girnâr; and Mahâvîra, the last, at Pâvâpur.
Twenty-one of the Tîrthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the Kâyotsarga (Guj. Kâüsagga) posture, and Ṛishabha, Nemi, and Mahâvira on the padmâsana or lotus throne.
For sake of brevity the following particulars for each Arhat are given below in serial order viz.:--
1. The vimâna or vâhana (heaven) from which he descended for incarnation.
2. Birthplace, and place of consecration or dîkshâ.
3. Names of father and mother.
4. Complexion.
5. Cognizance--chihna or lâñchhaṇa.
6. Height; and
7. Age.
8. Dîksha-vriksha or Bodhi tree.
9. Yaksha and Yakshiṇî, or attendant spirits.
10. First Ganadhara or leading disciple, and first Âryâ or leader of the female converts.