Nabhiraja

Nabhiraja

Nabhiraja was the fourteenth or last Kulakara (wisest man of his age). Nābhirāja was the father of Tirthankara, Rishabhdev.

Overview
When one-eighth of a palya was remaining of the third period, known as susamâ-dukhmâ, in the spoke of time of the present descending half-cycle of cosmic age, the felicities due to the ten kinds of special tree-like bestowers of wants (kalpavrisha) started to progressively dwindle down and the people no more were able to live the lives of instant gratification of all their wants, and sheer enjoyment. They started to worry about their sustenance and livelihood. Wise men, called kulakara, arose from time to time and kept on enlightening people, laying the foundation of the civilization of labour, law and order. The number of sages who thus appeared is said to be fourteen, the last of whom was Nābhirāja.

Sixteen dreams
Nābhirāja explained the explained the significance of the sixteen auspicious dreams to Queen Marudevi.

Nabhivarsha
Nabhi Raja was the ruler of all of India, according to the Bhagavata Purana. Hence, India in scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana is known as Nabhivarsha.