Tirthankara

What is Tirthankara?

A tirthankara is one who establishes Jain organization after conquering both love and hatred . He shows a fine path to the living beings of the world to be free from ignorance, misery and moha (Worldly happiness) What do Tirthankaras do?

The 24 Tirthankaras are considered to be the creator of Jain religion. They are divine elements of Jainism. They have attained all the achievement of ultimate nature including the ultimate knowledge after making vigorous efforts. Their principles are for betterment and welfare of others. Their path is to provide total fearless life and that of non-violence and to distribute love and friendship. Their vision of life is very wide and they have no insistence for anything. Their way of life is for giving up possessive passion and being free from the karmas we have a brief introduction of all 24 Tirthankaras, who are generous, noble passion-free and very holy characters. Why there are 24 Tirthankaras only?

The answer to this question can be perhaps available from the 87th stanza of “Yashstilakchulikc” scripture written by Acharya Somdev Suri. He observes:

'There are indefinite number of Grahas (Planets) – Nakshatras – Stars (Heavenly elements in the sky). But their numbers are shown to be limited by the rule of nature. In the present era of Utsarpini time-span, there are 24 times only when these heavenly elements are positioned in the best location. This is a certainty. Therefore there are only 24 Tirthankaras only not a one less not a one more. 

Introduction of 24 Tirthankaras Sr.No. | Name of Tirthankars | Introduction |
1. | Lord Rishabhdev | He had a sign of an ox on his thigh. The mother Marudeva had seen 14 dreams, of which the first was that of an ox. He started the religion after a time span of 18 koda Kodi Sagaropam (Sagaropam itself is almost an innumerable number, therefore 18 KodaKodi sagaropam is a countless number) Therefore, he was known as Adinath also (The first one) |
2. | Lord...