Bhagwan Shreyansnath was born in Simhapuri (modern Varanasi) to King Vishnu and Queen Vishnu Devi of the Ikshvaku dynasty. His birth radiated divine serenity, and his symbol is the rhinoceros, representing strength, focus, and spiritual resilience.

In a previous life, he was King Vajrajangha, who renounced his kingdom and performed intense austerities, earning the Tirthankar-nama-gotra-karma. As Shreyansnath, he ruled with wisdom and compassion before taking diksha. He attained Kevalgyan under the Mango tree, and his teachings emphasized self-restraint, truth, and the path to moksha.

He attained liberation at Sammed Shikharji, becoming a Siddha, free from all karmic bonds and the cycle of birth and death.