Parshvanath, born into royalty in Varanasi (Kashi, Uttar Pradesh) in the 9th century BCE, renounced worldly life at the age of thirty to seek spiritual truth. After years of deep meditation and ascetic practices, he attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and devoted the rest of his life to teaching the four great vows—ahinsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), and aparigraha (non-possession). He attained final liberation (moksha) at Sammed Shikharji, Jharkhand.

Although Jain tradition places his birth around the 9th century BCE and his death around the 8th century BCE, many modern scholars suggest slightly later dates—often situating him about 250 years before Mahavira, making Parshvanath an important precursor in the Jain spiritual lineage.