Tirthankara

In Jainism, a ***tirthankara*** (Sanskrit _tīrthaṅkara_) is an all knowing Teaching God who teaches the path to liberation from the cycle of births and deaths, called _saṃsāra_. According to Jains, over time, Jain teachings are gradually forgotten. Then, a rare individual is born who at some point in his life renounces the world to conquer the _saṃsāra_, the cycle of death and rebirth, on his own. After _Tirthankara_ attains _Kevala Jnana_ (omniscience) he refounds Jainism. Tirthankara provides a bridge for others to follow him from _saṃsāra_ (worldy existence) to _moksha_ (liberation).

According to Jains, exactly twenty-four _tirthankaras_ grace this part of the universe in each half of the Jain time cycle. The first _tirthankara_ was Rishabhanatha, who is said to have taught men various arts and professions including agriculture. The 24th and last _tirthankara_ of present half-cycle was Mahavira (599-527 BC). His predecessor, Parshvanatha, the twenty-third _tirthankara _was an important historical figure.

The teachings _tirthankara_ are compiled as scriptures called _Agamas_. All _tirthankaras _teach same philosophy and ethics and their teachings do not contradict. While _tirthankaras_ are worshiped by Jains, there grace is said to be available for all living beings, regardless of religious orientation.

_Tirthankaras_ are called _Jina_ (victor), which means one who has conquered inner enemies such as anger, attachment, pride and greed. They are entirely free of all passions, and personal likes and dislikes. After attaining omniscience, they are free from eighteen imperfections like hunger, thirst, sleep etc.

## Meaning

The word _tirthankara_ signifies the founder of a _tirtha_ which means a fordable passage across the sea of repeated births and deaths (called _saṃsāra_).
_Tirthankaras_ are also called "Teaching Gods", "Ford-Makers", "Crossing Makers" and "Makers of the River-Crossing.

## _Tirthankara_

The_ tīrthaṅkara nama-karma_, a special type of _karma _is mentioned in the Jain texts. Bondage of this karma raises a soul to the supreme status of a _Tīrthaṅkara_. _Tattvartha Sutra_, a major Jain text, list down sixteen observances which lead to the influx of this _karma_-

## _Panch Kalyanaka_

Five auspicious events called, _Pañca kalyāṇaka_ happen in the life of every _tirthankara_:
1. _Gārbha kalyāṇaka_ (conception): When soul of the tirthankara comes into his mother's womb.
1. _Janma kalyāṇaka_ (birth): Birth of a tirthankara. Indra, the head of celestial beings performs a ritual on tirthankara on Mount Meru.
1. _Dīkṣā kalyāṇaka_ (renunciation): When a tirthankara renounces all worldly possessions and become an ascetic.
1. _Jñāna kalyāṇaka_: The event when a tirthankara attains omniscience and becomes all knowing. After this celestial beings erect a divine preaching hall called _samavasarana_ from where he delivers sermons.
1. _Nirvāṇa kalyāṇaka_ (liberation): When a tirthankara leaves his mortal body, it is known as _nirvana_. It is followed by the final liberation, _moksha_. Their soul goes to _Siddhashila_ (topmost part of the Universe as per Jains) forever where they enjoy everlating happiness.

## _Samavasarana_

After attaining <span>omniscience</span>, a _tirthankara_ preaches the path to liberation in the _samavasarana_. According to Jain texts, the heavenly pavilion is erected by _devas_ (heavenly beings) where _devas_, humans and animals assemble to hear the _tirthankara_. A _tirthankara's_ speech is listened by all humans and animals in their own language. It is believed that during this speech, there is no unhappiness for miles around the site.

## _Tīrthaṅkaras_ of present cosmic age

Jainism teaches that time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. Jains divide the time cycle in two halves, _Utsarpiṇī_ or ascending time cycle and _avasarpiṇī_, the descending time cycle. 24 tirthankaras are born in each half of this cycle. In Jain tradition the _tirthankaras_ were royal in their final lives, and Jain texts record details of their previous lives.

Twenty-one of the _tirthankaras_ are said to have attained _moksha_ in the _kayotsarga_ (standing meditation posture), while Rishabhanatha, Neminatha and Mahavira are said to have attained moksha in the _Padmasana_ (lotus position).

### Present cosmic age

In chronological order, the names, emblems and colours of the 24 _tirthankaras_ of this age are mentioned below: _Dhanuṣa_ means "bow" and _hatha_ means "hands".

|No.|Name|Symbol|Colour|Height|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|1|Rishabhanatha (Adinatha)|Bull|Golden|500 dhanuṣa|
|2|Ajitanatha|Elephant|Golden|450 dhanuṣa|
|3|Sambhavanatha|Horse|Golden|400 dhanuṣa|
|4|Abhinandananatha|Monkey|Golden|350 dhanuṣa|
|5|Sumatinatha|Goose|Golden|300 dhanuṣa|
|6|Padmaprabha|Padma|Red|250 dhanuṣa|
|7|Suparshvanatha|Swastika|Golden|200 dhanuṣa|
|8|Chandraprabha|Crescent Moon|White|150 dhanuṣa|
|9|Pushpadanta|Crocodile or Makara|White|100 dhanuṣa|
|10|Shitalanatha|Shrivatsa|Golden|90 dhanuṣa|
|11|Shreyanasanatha|Rhinoceros|Golden|80 dhanuṣa|
|12|Vasupujya|Buffalo|Red|70 dhanusa|
|13|Vimalanatha|Boar|Golden|60 dhanusa|
|14|Anantanatha|Porcupine according to the Digambara Falcon according to the Śvētāmbara|Golden|50 dhanuṣa|
|15|Dharmanatha|Vajra|Golden|45 dhanuṣa|
|16|Shantinatha|Antelope or deer|Golden|40 dhanuṣa|
|17|Kunthunatha|Goat|Golden|35 dhanuṣa|
|18|Aranatha|Nandyavarta or fish|Golden|30 dhanuṣa|
|19|Māllīnātha|Kalasha|Blue|25 dhanuṣa|
|20|Munisuvrata|Tortoise|Black|20 dhanuṣa|
|21|Naminatha|Blue lotus|Golden|15 dhanuṣa|
|22|Neminatha|Shankha|Black|10 dhanuṣa|
|23|Parshvanatha|Snake|Blue|9 hatha|
|24|Mahavira|Lion|Golden|4 hatha|