| Dharanendra | |
|---|---|
 Sculpture of Yaksha Dharanendra at Akkana Basadi, Shravanabelagola | |
| Affiliation | Yaksha of Parshvanatha |
| Consort | Padmavati |
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| Jainism |
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Dharanendra is the Yaksha (attendant deity) of Parshvanatha, twenty-third Tirthankara in Jainism. He enjoys an independent religious life and is very popular amongst Jains.[1] According to the Jain tradition, when Parshvanatha was a prince, he saved two snakes that had been trapped in a log in the ritual fire of a sorcerer named Kamath. Later, these snakes were reborn as Dharanendra, the lord of the underworld Naga Kingdom, and Padmavati. They, then sheltered Parshvanatha when he was harassed by Meghalin (Kamath reborn).[2][3][4] Śvētāmbara tradition, however, does not list Padmavati among the main queens of Dharanendra.[5]
Western Ganga literature states that Dharanendra was worshipped for acquiring sons.[6]
In the Panchakuta Basadi at Kambadahalli ,Dharanendra is seen holding a bow and blowing a shankha. A five-hooded serpent makes a canopy over him.[7]
_at_Shravanabelagola.jpg)
The inside view of Akkana Basadi, Shravanabelagola(1181 A.D.); Parshvanatha (centre), Yaksha Dharanendra (left) and Yakshini Padmavati (right)
Image portraying Pārśvanātha sheltered by his yaksha Dharaṇendra at Kalugumalai Jain Beds
Dharanendra with Parshva, Kalpa sutra, 15th century
