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24 Tirthankara of Jainism- List, Meaning of Jain Tirthankar

By Balaji

Updated on: February 17th, 2023

24 Tirthankara of Jainism are the Jina or the victors of all intuitions. The count of Jain Tirthankar has been known to be 24. ‘Tirthankara’ is a mixture of 2 terms – ‘Teertha and ‘Samsara.’ Tirthankara symbolizes the creator of a Tirtha, a fordable route over the ocean of everlasting births and demises, the Samsara. Tirthankara is the Jain god name who defeated the Samsara and the cycle of death and rebirth on their own and made a pathway for others to follow. This article brings forth complete details pertaining to the 24 Tirthankara of Jainism.

24 Tirthankara of Jainism achieves Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after comprehending the true spirit of oneself or their soul. Tirthankara offers a bridge for others to seek the new teacher from Samsara to Moksha (freedom). In this article, understand the real meaning of 24 Tirthankara of Jainism, their symbols, the first Jain Tirthankar, and the list of 24 Tirthankara of Jaininsm in detail.

Table of content

(more)
  • 1. What is Tirthankara of Jainism? (more)
  • 2. List of 24 Tirthankara of Jainism (more)
  • 3. Future 24 Tirthankara of Jainism (more)
  • 4. Features of Tirthankara (more)
  • 5. Important Tirthankaras of Jainism (more)
  • 6. 24 Tirthankara of Jainism for UPSC Exam (more)

What is Tirthankara of Jainism?

A Jain Tirthankar is the teaching god or ‘Ford Maker’ in Jainism. 24 Tirthankaras were produced from each cosmic age in Jainism according to religious faith. The art of Tirthankaras is displayed as overseeing the body in a Kayotsarga pose.

  • Another popular posture in Tirthankara’s art is the meditation pose, in which he is witnessed sitting in a cross-legged position on a lion’s throne.
  • The difference between 24 Tirthankara of Jainism is based on symbolic colors or logos.
  • 24 Tirthankar names are given by taking inspiration from their mother’s ambitions previous to their births.
  • The first Jain Tirthankar was mentioned as Rishabhnath.
  • The life narratives of 24 Tirthankaras are quoted in a spiritual text of Jains called Kalpasutra, assembled by the Digambara sect Jain Muni Bhadrabahu.

List of 24 Tirthankara of Jainism

Below are the 24 Tirthankara of Jainism, with their emblems, colors, and symbols, listed in the table. Get complete knowledge of the 24 Tirthankaras and the related pertinents.

Present cosmic age

24 Tirthankar Name

Jain Tirthankar Symbols/Emblems

24 Tirthankar Colours

Meaning

Rishabhanatha/Adinath

Bull

Golden

Lord First/Lord Bull

Ajith

Elephant

Golden

Invincible one

Shambhava

Horse

Golden

Auspicious

Abhinandana

Ape

Golden

Worship

Sumati

Heron

Golden

Wise

Padmaprabha

Lotus

Red

Lotus-Bright

Suparshva

Swastika

Golden

Good-sided

Chandraprabha

Moon

White

Moon-bright

Suvidi/Pushpadanta

Dolphin/Sea Dragon

White

Blossomed-toothed/Religious Duties

Shitala

Shrivatsa

Golden

Coolness

Shreyamsha

Rhinoceros

Golden

Good

Vasupujya

Buffalo

Red

Worship with donations of custody

Vimala

Boar

Golden

Clear

Ananta

Bear/Hawk

Golden

Endless

Dharma

Thunderbolt

Golden

Duty

Shanti

Deer/Antelope

Golden

Peace

Kunthu

Goat

Golden

Stack of Jewels

Ara

Nandyavarta/Fish

Golden

Time Division

Malli

Water Flask

Blue

Wrestler

Suvrata/Munisuvrata

Tortoise

Black

Of good oath

Nami/Nimin

Blue Lotus

Golden

Eye Winking/Bowing Down

Nemi/Arishtanemi

Conch Shell

Black

The edge of whose wheel is intact

Parshvanath

Snake

Green

Lord serpent

Vardhamana Mahavira

Lion

Golden

Wealthy hero

Future 24 Tirthankara of Jainism

The names of the next 24 Tirthankara of Jainism, which will be born in the Utsarpini age according to Jain Cosmology, are as follows:

Tirthankaras

Previous Human Birth

24 Jain Tirthankara Name

1

King Shrenika

Padmanabha

2

Mahavira’s uncle Suparshva

Surdev

3

King Kaunik’s son king Udayin

Suparshva

4

The ascetic Potti

Svamprabh

5

Śrāvaka Dridhayadha

Sarvanubhuti

6

Kartik’s Shreshti

Devshruti

7

Shravak Shamkha

Udaynath

8

Shravak Ananda

Pedhalputra

9

Shravak Sunand

Pottil

10

Sharavak Shatak

Shatak

11

Satyaki of Mahabharata

Suvrat

12

Krishna

Amam

13

Satyaki Rudhra

Shrinishkashay

14

Krishna’s brother Balbhadra also known as Balrama

Nishpulak

15

Shravika Sulsa

Nirmam

16

Krishna’s brother’s mother Rohini Devi

Chitragupta

17

Revati Gathapatni

Samadhinath

18

Sharavak Shattilak

Samvarnath

19

Rishi Dwipayan

Yashodhar

20

Karna of Mahabharata

Vijay

21

Nirgranthaputra or Mallanarada

Malladev

22

Shravak Ambadh

Devachandra

23

Shravak Amar

Anantvirya

24

Swati

Bhadrakat

Features of Tirthankara

The word ‘Tirth’ denotes the meaning of a pilgrimage site. The Tirthankara means the founder of the pilgrimage site. In Jainism, it is believed that the Tirthankara has attained enlightenment, and leads others toward the same.

  • They are believed to have acquired emancipation and freedom from the birth and death cycles.
  • They teach other people about the worth of human life and the path of liberation.
  • They are the preachers and lead others who are seeking to attain Nirvana.

Also Read:

Important Tirthankaras of Jainism

24 Tirthankara of Jainism were supposed to be the common soul born as a human and acquired the states of a Tirthankar after intense practices of self-punishment, tranquility, and meditation. Below are some critical facts about the most recognized Tirthankaras.

Rishabhnath – First Tirthankara of Jainism

The first Tirthankara of Jainism, Rishabhnath, is assumed to exist even before the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization.

  • Lord Vishnu is another name given to the 1st Jain Tirthankar in Bhagavata Purana.
  • Rishabhnath is also mentioned in the Vedas.
  • This Tirthankara of Jainism had several sons, including Bahubali and Bharat, and the world’s highest statue, The Gomateshwara Statue (Karnataka), is devoted to Bahubali.
  • Rishabhnath’s script name is defined as Brahmi, which is assumed to be kept by taking inspiration from his daughter’s name.

Parsvanath – 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism

The 23rd Tirthankara was known as Parsvanath. It is understood that he lived about two centuries earlier than Vardhamana Mahavira.

  • Parsvanath put forward the religion of Jainism, which Mahavira subsequently refreshed.
  • His birthplace was in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh state, close to 817 BCE.
  • He achieved Kaivalya in Jharkhand above Mount Sammeta (Parasnath).
  • The tallest sculpture of Parsvanath is discovered in Navagraha Jain Temple (Karnataka).

Parsvnath established four-fold constraints according to the Svetambaras Sect or White-Clad Sect of Jainism; these were:

  • Asteya
  • Satya
  • Ahimsa
  • Aparigraha
  • Mahavira included Brahmacharya.

Mahavira – 24th Tirthankara of Jainism

The name of the 24 Tirthankar in the Jain religion is Mahavira, Siddhartha, and Trishla’s son. He had taken birth in Bihar, India, and he was a modern-day Gautam Buddha.

  • He quit his worldly occupancies at 30 and desired stringent life leading to Kevala Gnan.
  • He achieved Kaivalya beneath a bush of Sal.
  • The 24th Jain Tirthankar acquired Nirvana in Pavapuri of Bihar.
  • The main teachings of Mahavira include Ahimsa, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha, Asetya, and Satya.

24 Tirthankara of Jainism for UPSC Exam

Candidates who desire to work as Government officials must cover the entire Syllabus of UPSC and read the NCERT books or study material on important subjects. 24 Tirthankara of Jainism UPSC comes under the Indian Art, Culture, Literature, and Architecture section of the UPSC Syllabus. Candidates can examine the Art and Culture Notes for UPSC preparation to learn the topic thoroughly.

The notes are beneficial for candidates studying for IAS, IPS, IFS, or any other Government competitive exams. Aspirants must be competently familiar with the Tirthankaras of Jainism topic for the UPSC Exam, which is a crucial part of the Syllabus.

24 Tirthankara of Jainism for UPSC Questions

Candidates can also study NCERT Books for UPSC to make a strong foundation before picking advanced UPSC books for Prelims and Mains preparation. The aspirants can practice the questions pertaining to 24 Tirthankara of Jainism.

Question: Consider the following pairs:

Tirthankara Symbol

  • Shambhava – Snake
  • Abhinandana – Ape
  • Dharma – Thunderbolt
  • Parshvanath – Horse

Select the correct pairs:

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2, and 4

(d) All of the options

Answer: (b)

  • Abhinandana – Ape
  • Dharma – Thunderbolt
  • Shambhava – Horse
  • Parshvanath – Snake

Question: Which of the given statements is/are correct about Jainism?

  • Its primary goal is to achieve liberation, for which no ritual is necessary.
  • Lord Mahavira was the final of the 24 great teachers.

Select the correct options from below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

Its primary goal is to achieve liberation, for which no ritual is necessary. It is run by three principles known as the Three Jewels or Triratna

  • Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)
  • Right Action (Samyak Charitra)
  • Right Faith (Samyak Darshan)

Lord Mahavira was the final 24th great teacher who had earned complete understanding (Moksha) while living and imparting it to the masses.

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