Article: Nemi

Image of a Jina
Image by British Library © CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)

There is no historical evidence of Nemi’s existence but traditional writings recount his life as following the usual career of a Jina. Tradition holds that he was born in Śaurīpura or Dvārakā and achieved liberation on Mount Girnār.

Nemi’s symbolic colour is blue or black and his emblem is a conch. Jains believe that he is the cousin of the Hindu god Kṛṣṇa. In religious art Nemi is often shown with blue skin, similarly to how Kṛṣṇa is depicted in Hindu art.

Like all Jinas, Nemi has a pair of spiritual attendants, often shown in art. His yakṣa is Gomedha and his yakṣī is Ambikā, who is also a powerful goddess in her own right.

Nemi’s renunciation
Image by Wellcome Trust Library © Wellcome Library, London

The account of Nemi’s renunciation is very well known in Jain tradition. From a young age Prince Nemi has wanted to renounce the householder life to become an ascetic. After much persuasion from his family and friends he overcomes his reluctance to marry and is betrothed to Princess Rājimatī.

On his way to the palace of his future in-laws, Nemi sees lots of animals penned up, ready to be killed to feed the wedding guests. He is deeply troubled and repulsed. He decides to pull out of the marriage and renounce worldly life immediately.

This episode underscores the Jain disavowal of violence and the importance of vegetarianism. The notion of doing no harm is a central part of Jain belief and includes avoiding hurting or killing animals where possible.