Who is Tirthankara ?

In Jainism, a Tirthankar : “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 arihant, who establishes the fourfold religious order consisting of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen after achieving omniscience. After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the path to enlightenment.  At the end of his human life- span, a Tirthankar achieves liberation (‘moksh’ or nirvan’), ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths. Jains believe that exactly twenty four Tirthankars are born in each half cycle of time in this part of the universe.

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 godss as beings, superior to humans but, nevertheless, not fully enlightened. 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).

The 24 Tirthankaraswho achieved liberation (‘moksha’ or nirvana’), ending the cycle of infinite births and deaths, 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 vigirous efforts.