Tirthankar

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In Jainism, a Tirthankar (तीर्थंकर: "Fordmaker or Propagator"; also Tirthankara or Jina) is a human being who achieves enlightenment (perfect knowledge) through asceticism and who then becomes a role-model teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance. A Tirthankar is a special sort of arihant, who establishes the fourfold religious order consisting of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen after achieving omniscience. Every Tirthankar revitalises the Jain order. A Tirthankar is so called because he is the founder of a "Tirth" (literally, 'ford'), a Jain community which acts as a "ford" across the "river of human misery".

Overview[]

After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the path to enlightenment. The Tirthankar's religious teachings form the Jain canons. The inner knowledge of all Tirthankars is perfect and identical in every respect, for the teachings of one Tirthankar do not contradict those of another. However, the degree of elaboration varies according to the spiritual advancement and purity of humans during that period. The higher the spiritual advancement and purity of mind, the lower the elaboration required.

At the end of his human life-span, a Tirthankar achieves liberation ('moksh' or 'nirvan'), ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths.

Jainism posits that time has no beginning or end. It moves like the wheel of a cart. There have been an infinite number of time cycles before our present era and there will be an infinite number of time cycles after this age. As of 2011, we are exactly 2,538 years into the fifth era of the present half cycle.

Jains believe that exactly twenty four Tirthankars are born in each half cycle of time in this part of the universe. The first Tirthankar Rishabh Dev who lived a very long time ago was credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously, attained liberation ('moksh' or 'nirvan') towards the end of the third era. The 24th and last Tirthankar was Mahavir (599-527 BCE), whose existence is a historically accepted fact. Digambaras believe that all twenty four Tirthankars were men but Svetambaras believe that the 19th Tirthankar, Mallinath, was a woman.

The next Tirthankar in our part of the universe will be born at the beginning of the third era of the next (ascending) half cycle of time, in approximately 81,500 years.

As Tirthankars direct us to enlightenment, their statues are worshipped in Jain temples by Jains aspiring to achieve enlightenment. Tirthankars are not God or gods. Jainism does not believe in the existence of God in the sense of a creator, but in gods as beings, superior to humans but, nevertheless, not fully enlightened.

Particular Tirthankars[]

Depictions of the Tirthankaras in various forms, including images and statues, are always represented as seated with their legs crossed in front, the toes of one foot resting close upon the knee of the other, and the right hand lying over the left in the lap. Only two are represented differently: that of Parsvanatha, the twenty-third, who has snake-hoods over him, and Suparsva, the seventh, whom the Digambarashas depict with a smaller group of snake-hoods.

Digambara representations are quite nude, while those of the Svetambaras are clothed and decorated with crowns and ornaments. They are further distinguished from one another in representations by their attendant Yakshas and Yakshinis, as well as by their associated chihnas or Lanchans (cognizances) carved on the cushions of their thrones.

All but two of the Jains are ascribed to the Ikshvaku family (or Kula or Kul, which in Sanskrit means "heart community" or "intentional/chosen community/family"). Munisuvrata, the twentieth, and Neminatha, the twenty-second, were of the Harivamsa race.But as per Jain cannons Rishabha the first Tirthankar was the founder of the so-called Ikshvaku kula.

All but Rishabha received diksha (consecration) and Kevalgynan (complete enlightenment) at their native places. Rishabha became a Kevalin at Purimatala, Nemi at Girnar, and Mahavira at the Rijuvaluka river. Twenty Tirthankaras achieved Nirvaan on Sammet Sikhar. However Rishabha, the first, achieved nirvana on the Kailasa Mountain of the Himalayas as per digambar canons and as per shwetambar canons he achieved nirvana on Ashtapad mount(which is no longer visibe to human eyes). Vasupujya attained nirvana at Champapuri in north Bengal; Neminatha on Mount Girnar in gujrat; and Mahavira, the last, at Pavapuri near patna in Bihar.

Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the Kayotsarga(standing mediation) posture; Rishabha, Nemi; and Mahavira on the padmasana (lotus throne poisture).

Narration Chart of 24 Tirathankars For each Arihant the particulars are given below:

Tirthankar	Heaven before birth	Birthplace; Consecration	Parents	Complexion	Symbol	Height	Number of Years Lived	Tree	Attendant spirits	Male disciple; Female disciple	Place of Nirvan	Birth
1 Lord Rishabha (Adinath)	Sarvarthasiddha	Vinittanagari; Palitana	Nabhiraja by Marudevi	golden	bull or ox	1,500 Meters	592.704 Quintillion Years	Vata (banyan)	Gomukha and Chakresvari	Pundarika; Brahmi	Ashtapad (Kailasha)	10^224 Years Ago
2 Ajitnath	Vijayavimana	Ayodhya; Sammet Shikharji	Jita['s]atru by Vijayamata	golden	elephant	1,350 Meters	508.032 Quintillion Years	['S]ala (Shorea robusta)	Mahayaksha and Ajitabala; or Rohi[n.]i	['S]i[.m]hasena; Phalgu	Sammed Sikhar	5 x 10^223 Years Ago
3 Sambhavanath	Uvarimagraiveka	Savathi; Sravasti	Jitari by Senamata	golden	horse	1,200 Meters	423.360 Quintillion Years	Prayala (Buchanania latifolia)	Trimukha and Duritari; or Prajnapti	Charu; Syama	Samet Sikhar	2 x 10^223 Years Ago
4 Abhinandannath	Jayantavimana	Ayodhya; Sammet Shikharji	Sambararaja by Siddhartha	golden	monkey	1,050 Meters	352.8 Quintillion Years	Priyangu (Panicum italicum)	Nayaka and Kalika; or Yakshesvara and Vajrasrinkhala	Vajranabha; Ajita	Samet Sikhar	10^223 Years Ago
5 Sumatinath	Jayantavimana	Ayodhya; Sammet Shikharji	Megharaja by Mangala	golden	curlew or red goose	900 Meters	282.24 Quintillion Years	Sala	Tumburu and Mahakali; or Purushadatta	Charama; Kasyapi	Samet Sikhar	10^222 Years Ago
6 Padmaprabha	Uvarimagraiveka	Kausambi; Sammet Shikharji	Sridhara by Susima	red	lotus	750 Meters	211.68 Quintillion Years	Chhatra	Kusuma and Syama; or Manovega or Manogupti	Pradyotana; Rati	Samet Sikhar	10^221 Years Ago
7 Suparshvanath	Madhyamagraiveka	Varanasi; Sammet Shikharji	Pratish[t.]haraja by P[r.]ithvi	golden or emerald	swastika	600 Meters	141.12 Quintillion Years	Sirisha (Acacia sirisha)	Matanga and Santa; or Varanandi and Kali	Vidirbha; Soma	Samet Sikhar	10^220 Years Ago
8 Chandraprabha	Vijayanta	Chandrapura; Sammet Shikharji	Mahasenaraja by Lakshmana	white	moon	450 Meters	70.56 Quintillion Years	Naga	Vijaya and Bhrikuti; or Syama or Vijaya and Jvalamalini	Dinna; Sumana	Samet Sikhar	10^219 Years Ago
9 Pushpadanta	Anatadevaloka	Kanandinagari; Sammet Shikharji	Sugrivaraja by Ramarani	white	Crocodile	300 Meters	14.112 Quintillion Years	Sali	Ajita and Sutaraka; or Mahakali	Varahaka; Varuni	Samet Sikhar	10^218 Years Ago
10 Sheetalnath	Achyutadevaloka	Bhadrapura or Bhadilapura; Sammet Shikharji	Dridharatha-raja by Nanda	golden	Kalpavriksha or ficus religiosa	270 Meters	7.056 Quintillion Years	Priyangu	Brahma and Asoka; or Manavi	Nanda; Sujasa	Samet Sikhar	10^217 Years Ago
11 Shreyansanath	Achyutadevaloka	Simhapuri; Sammet Shikharji	Vishnuraja by Vishna	golden	rhinoceros	240 Meters	8,400,000 Years	Tanduka	Yakshet and Manavi; or Isvara and Gauri	Kasyapa; Dharani	Samet Sikhar	10^212 Years Ago
12 Vasupujya	Pranatadevaloka	Champapuri; Sammet Shikharji	Vasupujya by Jaya	ruddy	female buffalo	210 Meters	7,200,000 Years	Patala (Bignonia suaveolens)	Kumara and Chanda; or Gandhari	Subhuma; Dharani	Champapuri	4 x 10^211 Years Ago
13 Vimalnath	Mahasaradevaloka	Kampilyapura; Sammet Shikharji	Kritavarmaraja by Syama	golden	pig	180 Meters	6,000,000 Years	Jambu (Eugenia jambolana)	Shanmukha and Vidita; or Vairo[t.]i)	Mandara; Dhara	Samet Sikhar	1.6 x 10^211 Years Ago
14 Anantnath	Pranatadevaloka	Ayodhya; Sammet Shikharji	Simhasena by Suyasah or Sujasa	golden	porcupine	150 Meters	3,000,000 Years	Asoka (Jonesia asoka)	Patala and Ankusa; or Anantamati	Jasa ; Padma	Samet Sikhar	7 x 10^210 Years Ago
15 Dharmanath	Vijayavimana	Ratnapuri; Sammet Shikharji	Bhanuraja by Suvrita	golden	vajra	135 Meters	2,500,000 Years	Dadhiparna (Clitoria ternatea)	Kinnara and Kandarpa; or Manasi	Arishta; Arthasiva	Samet Sikhar	3 x 10^210 Years Ago
16 Shantinath	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura or Hastinapuri; Sammet Shikharji	Visvasena by Achira	golden	deer	120 Meters	100,000 Years	Nandi (Cedrela toona)	Garuda and Nirvani; or Kimpurusha and Mahamanasi	Chakrayuddha; Suchi	Samet Sikhar	10^194 Years Ago
17 Kunthunath	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura; Sammet Shikharji	Suraraja by Srirani	golden	goat	105 Meters	95,000 Years	Bhilaka	Gandharva and Bala; or Vijaya	Samba; Damini	Samet Sikhar	10^194 Years Ago
18 Aranath	Sarvarthasiddha	Gajapura; Sammet Shikharji	Sudarsana by Devirani	golden	fish or Pisces	90 Meters	84,000 Years	Amba (Mango)	Yaksheta and Dhana; or Kendra and Ajita	Kumbha; Rakshita	Samet Sikhar	16,584,980 BCE
19 Mallinath	Jayantadevaloka	Mithila; Sammet Shikharji	Kumbharaja by Prabhavati	blue	jar or Kalasa	75 Meters	55,000 Years	Asoka	Kubera and Dharanapriya; or Aparajita	Abhikshaka; Bandhumati	Samet Sikhar	6,584,980 BCE
20 Munisuvrata	Aparajita-devaloka	Rajagriha; Sammet Shikharji	Sumitraraja by Padmavati	black	tortoise	60 Meters	30,000 Years	Champaka (Michelia champaka)	Varuna and Naradatta; or Bahurupini	Malli; Pushpavati	Samet Sikhar	1,184,980 BCE
21 Nami Natha	Pranatadevaloka	Mithila; Sammet Shikharji	Vijayaraja by Viprarani	yellow; or emerald	blue water-lily or blue lotus	45 Meters	10,000 Years	Bakula (Mimusops elengi)	Bhrikuti and Gandhari; or Chamundi	Subha; Anila	Samet Sikhar	584,979 BCE
22 Neminatha	Aparajita	Sauripura and Ujjinta (Ujjain); Mount Girnar (Girnarji)	Samudravijaya by Sivadevi	black	conch	30 Meters	1,000 Years	Vetasa	Gomedha and Ambika; or Sarvahna and Kushmandini	Varadatta; Yakshadinna	Mount Girnar	3228 BCE
23 Parshva	Pranatadevaloka	Varanasi; Sammet Shikharji	Asvasenaraja by Vamadevi	blue	snake	7.7142852 Feet	100 Years	Dhataki (Grislea tomentosa)	Parsvayaksha or Dharanendra and Padmavati	Aryadinna; Pushpachu[d.]a	Samet Sikhar	877 BCE
24 Mahavira	Pranatadevaloka	Kundagrama or kshatriyakund ; Rijubalika	Siddhartharaja, Sreyansa or Yasasvin by Trisala Vidchadinna or Priyakarini	yellow	lion	7 Feet	72 Years	teak	Matanga and Siddhayika	Indrabhuti; Chandrabala	Pava Puri	599 BCE

The total length of the lifespans of all 24 Tirthankar's combined equals 2.603672 Sextillion years.

Living tirthankars[]

In the present time and age, there are no living tirthankars on this Earth. The last living on Earth in this age was tirthankar Bhagwan Shri Mahavir Swami, who attained omniscience some 2500 years ago. Nevertheless, this universe is never devoid of living tirthankars at any point of time though they exist in other parts of the universe. Currently in Mahavideh Kshetra there are 20 living tirthankars and their names are :

Shri Simandhar Swami
Shri Yughmandhar Swami
Shri Bahu Swami
Shri Subahu Swami
Shri Sujat Swami
Shri Swayamprabha Swami
Shri Rhushabbhanan Swami
Shri Anantavirya Swami
Shri Soorprabha Swami
Shri Vishalprabha Swami
Shri Vajadhar Swami
Shri Chandranan Swami
Shri Chandrabahu Swami
Shri Bhuyoung Swami
Shri Ishwar Swami
Shri Namiprabha Swami
Shri Virsen Swami
Shri Mahabhadra Swami
Shri Devyash Swami
Shri Abhivirya Swami.

The twenty Viharman Tirthankars existing at present in the Mahavideh area were born at the same time just after the Nirvana of the 17th Tirthankar of Bharat area, Kunthunath. All of them took Diksah together just after the Nirvana of 20th Tirthankar Munisuvrat. Just after one month of becoming ascetics they all attained omniscience. They all will get liberated at the same time after the Nirvana of the seventh Tirthankar of future ascending cycle of time, Shri Udaynath.

When all these Tirthankars are liberated other future Tirthankars will attain omniscience in the other part of Mahavideh area. This is an unbroken tradition since time immemorial and will continue for all time to come. The rule is that a minimum of twenty Tirthankars must always exist. The maximum number can go up to 170.^[1]

References[]

↑ http://www.jainworld.com/jainbooks/tirthankar/apendix-8.htm

External links[]

AtmaDharma.com Library of Jain Literature in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Prakrit & Sanskrit) - all freely downloadable.
Jaina.org
Jainsamaj.org

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original article was at Tirthankar. The list of authors can be seen in the page history.

[1] ttp://www.jainworld.com/jainbooks/tirthankar/apendix-8.htm

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