Tirthankara

In Jainism, a Tīrthaṅkara (Sanskrit: तीर्थंकर "ford-Maker") is a human being who achieves moksa ("liberation, enlightenment") through asceticism and who then becomes a role-model and teacher for those seeking spiritual guidance.

According to Jain teachings, a being who obtains Kevala Jnana is sure to attain moksa. One who attains moksa is referred to as a siddha, but only a siddha who establishes or revitalises Jainism - one who establishes a "ford" or tīrtha across the river of human misery - is called a tīrthaṅkara.

Overview

The Tīrthaṅkaras' religious teachings form the Jain canons. The inner knowledge of all Tīrthaṅkaras is perfect and identical in every respect, for the teachings of one Tīrthaṅkara 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 Tīrthaṅkara achieves moksa or nirvana, 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.^{[citation needed]}

Jains believe that exactly twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras are born in each half-cycle of time in this part of the universe. The first Tīrthaṅkara, Rishabha, who is credited for formulating and organising humans to live in a society harmoniously, attained liberation towards the end of the third era. The 24th and last Tīrthaṅkara was Mahavira (599-527 BC), whose existence is historically-accepted fact. Digambara Jains believe that all twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras were men because women cannot achieve moksa, but Svetambara Jains believe that the 19th Tīrthaṅkara, Mallinath, was a woman and that sex and gender are no impediment to moksa.

The next Tīrthaṅkara 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 Tīrthaṅkaras direct us to enlightenment, their statues are worshipped in Jain temples by Jains aspiring to achieve enlightenment. Tīrthaṅkaras are not God or gods. Jainism does not believe in the existence of God in the sense of a creator; they are considered super-human beings but also lack full enlightenment.

Particular Tīrthaṅkaras

Depictions of the Tīrthaṅkaras 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 Parshva, the twenty-third, who has snake-hoods over him, and Suparshvanath, the seventh, whom the Digambaras depict with a smaller group of snake-hoods.

Digambara representations are nude however those of the Svetambaras are 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 dynasty. Munisuvrata, the twentieth, and Neminatha, the twenty-second, were of the Harivamsa. Jain canons state that Rishabha, the first Tīrthaṅkara, founded the Ikshvaku.

All but Rishabha received diksha “consecration” and Kevala Jnana (complete enlightenment) at their native places. Rishabha became a ‘’Kevalin’’ at Purimatala, Nemi at Girnar, and Mahavira at the Rijuvaluka river. Twenty Tīrthaṅkaras achieved nirvana on Sammet Sikhar. Digamaras believe Rishabha did so on Mount Kailash while Svetambaras state he achieved nirvana on Mount Ashtapada. Vasupujya attained nirvana at Champapuri in North Bengal; Neminatha on Mount Girnar in Gujarat; and Mahavira, the last, at Pawapuri, near modern Bihar's capital, Patna.

Twenty-one of the Tirthakaras are said to have attained Moksha in the kayotsarga “standing mediation” posture and Rishabha, Nemi and Mahavira in the padmasana “lotus throne” posture.

Narration Chart of 24 Tirathankars

For each Siddha the particulars are given below:

Tīrthaṅkara	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 Avinasha	Paramasiddha	Divyanagari; Slotina	Komijit by Jarudevi	rusty	diana	3,000 Meters	1224 Quintillion Years	Vata (banyan)	Gomukha and Chakresvari	Pundarika; Brahmi	Ashtapad (Kailasha)	10²²⁸ Years Ago
1 Rishabha	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)	10²²⁴ 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 10²²³ 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 10²²³ 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	10²²³ 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	10²²² 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	10²²¹ 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	10²²⁰ 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	10²¹⁹ 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	10²¹⁸ 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	10²¹⁷ 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	10²¹² 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 10²¹¹ 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 10²¹¹ 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 10²¹⁰ 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 10²¹⁰ 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	10¹⁹⁴ 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	10¹⁹⁴ 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 (Vaishali District Bihar) ; 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 Tīrthaṅkaras combined equals 2.603672 Sextillion years.

Living Tīrthaṅkaras

At present time and age, there are no living Tīrthaṅkaras on this Earth. The last living on Earth in this age was Mahavira, who attained omniscience some 2500 years ago.

Nevertheless, Jains believe the universe is never devoid of living Tīrthaṅkaras at any point of time, even though they may at times exist only in other parts of the universe.

References

External links

AtmaDharma.com Library of Jain Literature in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Prakrit & Sanskrit) - all freely downloadable.
www.jaina.org
www.jainsamaj.org
JainReligion.in Jain Dharma, Jain Tīrthaṅkara, Jainism, Jain Songs.

v t e God in Jainism
Arihant ; Siddha ; Pañca-Parameṣṭhi
Tirthankara	Rishabhanatha Ajitanatha Sambhavanatha Abhinandananatha Sumatinatha Padmaprabha Suparshvanatha Chandraprabha Pushpadanta Shitalanatha Shreyansanatha Vasupujya Vimalanatha Anantanatha Dharmanatha Shantinatha Kunthunatha Aranatha Mallinatha Munisuvrata Naminatha Neminatha Parshvanatha Mahavira Simandhar Swami (other world)
Samanya	Bahubali Bharata Chakravartin Ganadhara Indrabhuti Gautama Sudharmaswami Jambuswami Nabhi Samudravijaya