24 Tirthankara of Jainism – Meaning, List of Jain Tirthankar
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 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
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.
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 UPSC
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 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 exam, which is a crucial part of the Syllabus.
24 Tirthankara of Jainism 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: [1] Shambhava – Snake, [2] Abhinandana – Ape, [3] Dharma – Thunderbolt, [4] 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: Option (B) 2 and 3 [Abhinandana – Ape, Dharma – Thunderbolt]
Question: Which of the given statements is/are correct about Jainism? [1] Its primary goal is to achieve liberation, for which no ritual is necessary. [2] 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: (Option C) Both 1 and 2
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.
